Night Light part 1
This Rant series is inspired by my son's night light. It was flickering when we plugged it in, and he quickly reminded me how important it is. You better believe we'll be getting a new one in the next couple of days. You know, just in case. But here's what I want to say as far as the Spiritual application: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings" (Exodus 10:21-23). And there are two things I want to focus on with this: 1. Darkness which may be felt. 2. Light in their dwellings. I know there are times when things seem dark. When it doesn't look good. When you can even FEEL that oppressive cloud of doubt and despair. When you think you're not good enough. When you think you can't do it. Its too much. Its too hard. You want to give up. But I've always said, "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on!" And, furthermore, realize that no matter how hard you think you are hanging on to God... in reality HE is holding you in His hands. And HE will never leave you nor forsake you. He will never let you go. If you stumble and fall, He will lift you up. And He can even keep you from falling. Sometimes its darkest before the dawn. Sometimes when its darkest... even the smallest amount of light can help you see. Remember my theme of the least you can do being the most you can do? This LITTLE light of mine... I'm gonna let it shine. It doesn't matter how big the light is. Because ALL of the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. When my light shines... and your light shines... that's when its not dark anymore. Let me say it another way: "...Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered..." (Psalm 68:1). God IS that light. When the sun light (SON light) shines, the darkness flees. It has to. If you're in a dark room, and you turn on the light, you're not in a dark room anymore. That's how powerful the light is. That's why its so important. Because in the beginning when God created the heaven and earth (the mind and the body... YOU) His creation was dark and void and without form. We didn't know who WE were, because even though we were created in the image and likeness of God... we didn't know who HE was. We couldn't see clearly. And yet, even then, the Spirit of God hovered over the deep. Even then He was right there with us. Even then He spoke. And He said the only thing He has ever said. The only thing He has ever needed to say. He said, "Let there be light." He inserted Himself into His creation. He gave us His only beloved Son. So that as the light shined we might be able to see clearly. See God for who He really is. See ourselves, and each other, for who we really are. Stop stumbling around in the dark of night and begin to experience the bright new day. Stop trying to be someone we're not, and begin to be who we really are as we being to see who we really are. That's the power of a light in the darkness. And that's not just what we have... that's who we are!