Let Your Little Light Shine

Photo by Scott Carver

The moon was phenomenal last night. It was big, it was full, and just beautiful. Since I don't have a clue how to take a picture of it worth showing to anyone (and of course, no camera), I borrowed a similar image from a friend.

I found myself actually hoping for a blackout, so I could see just how brightly it was shining.  Then I remembered - the moon doesn't shine. It reflects it's light off the sun. Oh yeah. I'm supposed to do that too, only my light is a reflection of the Son, not the sun. The sun's light just make my skin glow and turn red. But the Son's light, it chases away the darkness and burns deep into my soul. The difference is, the Son's light can penetrate so deeply within me that I begin to shine as well. I guess this kind of a Son burn is good for you.

Sometimes, in the daylight the moon is still visible, but it never shines as bright as the sun. And the Son will always shine brighter that those He is reflecting off of. We have to remember that when we think our own light is shining. We don't have our own light. We are full of darkness until the light of the Son comes in. So sit in the light of the Son for a while, and then go out and shine!

Joyful Delight

It's amazing how something so simple can turn a day around completely. I was out one day last week and went to a drive thru to get something to drink. I was waiting to place my order when I noticed a butterfly flitting about in front of my car. I watched as it flew around and went over by the other drive thru lane.

As it was dancing around, I noticed this woman in the other lane. She was looking like I felt - kind of blah and not really feeling much of anything - just kind of existing in the moment. Then, she noticed the butterfly. It's hard to describe the expression on her face with any other word than delight.

It was like watching a child experience something wonderful for the first time - like a butterfly. Her eyes lit up. Her entire face changed. And she was grinning from ear to ear (though it's hard to see in this picture).

In that moment, I could sense God's delight for her. I don't know what her day was like. Maybe she was having a great day, maybe she just lost a friend. Who knows? But I do know this - despite her circumstances, God delighted in her as she delighted in His creation.

Can you image God's delight if she had jumped out of her car and started dancing with that butterfly (which you can't see in this picture - in case you've been searching for it)? Imagine His delight when we worship Him fully, with everything, like that butterfly. To dance around, delighted to be who we were created to be, without hesitation or fear.

God delights in us as we delight in Him. I'm not sure I understood what that meant until I saw a woman notice a butterfly.

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.
For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
Psalm 149:1-4 NLT

You Paint the Sky...

Last summer I saw some of the most amazing skies. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get a good picture of any of them. Either I was driving, or I didn't have my camera, or I just couldn't get the shot like I wanted to.
I remember asking God to give me the chance to take a picture of one so I could show of his handy work. He reminded me that His reaching out to me is for me. It's His way of talking with me, one on one. His way of showing me things greater than myself.
I took the upper left photo this past week while driving to work. Just a quick snap with my phone. It's not even close to what it really looked like, but I like it anyway. Once again, I was reminded that the sky God painted was for my eyes - His way of telling me he loves me.

The photo to the right, I also took this week. No, it's not a black and white shot. It was just a gray day. The sun hasn't shown itself in a few days, and that was really starting to get to me. So I thought I'd take a quick pic with my phone and share how unfair it is that the sky has been so gloomy and the rain has been coming down and on and on and on. But once again, I was reminded by that still small voice, that God still painted the sky for me. It's just on that particular day, he chose gray paint.

He again reminded me that even when things aren't going great, and the colors I see aren't vibrant and he doesn't do things the way I want him to, He's still God. He still makes the best choices. I know so little and He knows all. What I see as trouble, or uncomfortable, or unpleasant, He sees as a way to make me grow - to make me draw near to Him - to become more and more like Him. In His eyes, the sky is just as beautiful in the second picture - maybe even more so - because He used it to change my heart, and to further transform my character to be in line with His.

Goose Poop on the Sidewalk

Yesterday I was feeling a little tired in my office so I decided to take a walk outside around the building. I do this once in a while to clear my mind or to spend a few quiet minutes alone with God. Things get so hectic in the office sometimes and it's easy to lose focus.

As I was walking, I noticed some geese - Canadian, I think - in the grass near the sidewalk. I think they have been in the growth hormones because they were huge! As I got closer, I noticed if they stood up tall, they were more than half my height. Just another instance of "I wish I had my camera with me." Didn't even have my phone.

The other thing I noticed was the goose poop all over the sidewalk. At first there was just a little and it was easy to avoid. Then as I rounded the corner of the building, it was everywhere. I walked with my head down, inspecting every inch of sidewalk looking for the safest place to step. Of course, all the while keeping an eye on the beasts that made the mess.

As I carefully made my way around the building, it occurred to me that while I was careful not to step in what I could clearly see could cause me harm (or at least distress), I'm not nearly as careful when it comes to sin and temptation that comes my way. I don't carefully navigate my way around it - sometimes I step right in it and carry the stink and dirt and contaminates around with me.

I realize I shouldn't walk around seeking out sin so I can be tempted and then avoid it, but I do know I need to be aware that temptation is all around me (1 Peter 5:8) and I have to be careful not to step in it. And when I see it, look for the escape route.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

How do you avoid temptation?