Day Star part 4
Why is the light so important? So that we can see where we're going. So that we can stop stumbling around in the dark. So that we can see clearly. Look at Luke 1:77-79, "To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to then that sit in darkness and in shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." The day star arises in our hearts so that the light of the world--that we are--can shine into the darkness. So that we will know where to go and what to do when we get there. And, spoiler alert, what we're to do when we get there... is love those who are already there. The light of love guides our feet into the way of peace. The peacemakers are called (identified as) the Son(s) of God. So its like I always say, "Whe you don't know what to do... do what you know. Love people." And if you don't know where to go, love right where you're at. The Word (which is Jesus, which is love) is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Love lights the way. And that light is in our hearts. It comes from us. We are that city set on the hill that cannot be hid. We are a lighthouse that can keep other ships from hitting the rocks. There are so many people who see the world as bad and getting worse. But we know better. We see clearly. We know that the work is finished. And because Jesus finished the work, we can enjoy the fruit of His labor. Which is the fruit of the Spirit. Which is love. We don't have to try to earn our heavenly Father's love and approval. We can rest in His loving arms. And that's what the knowledge of salvation is all about. Its not about making people jump through hoops in order to "get" salvation. In order to "get" out of the darkness. Its about shining our light and letting them know that salvation took place 2,000 years ago on an old rugged cross. Its not, "Get right or get left." Its not, "shape up or get shipped out." Its not, "you better get saved before its too late." Jesus already did everything that ever needed to be done. And He did it both for us and as us. If we want to experience what's availabe to us, we need to KNOW what's available to us. That's what being a witness is all about--sharing what you've experienced. Telling people what you've seen, and heard, and felt. Shining your light so THEY can see. I think this is appropriate for this time of year when things get cold and dark. Its depressing. We need sunlight. Sonlight. We need each other. To comfort. To connect. To build relationships. Its not good that man should be alone. We need each other, and we need to shine our light onto (and into) each other. God works in mysterious ways because He works through people. The day star arises in our hearts when we let God love us. By letting PEOPLE love us. When we receive and release the love that has already been given to us. That's what this life is all about--receiving and releasing, and in that way experiencing, God's love. Giving what we've got by knowing what we've got. Shining the light by knowing that we are the light. Letting that light of love guide and direct us. Showing us who, and where, and how to love each other!