Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’ John 8:12, NLT
When we forget to turn off the cable box, that little light bores into my closed eyes. It seems bright enough to land a plane in our bedroom. That little light overwhelms the darkness.
Jesus’ light is like that pinpoint light. He shines it brightly, yet focused, where our souls, our hearts, our actions are moving into darkness. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad He usually focuses in on one area at a time. I’m not so sure I could handle seeing it all, brightly, at once. I often pray, “Lord grow me, but please be gentle.”
In week two of , Finding I AM, we discuss Jesus declaration in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.” Lysa makes this statement on page fifty-three, “Jesus isn’t trying to expose you to put shame on you. He’s trying to expose the sin that has it chains around you.”
God uses all sorts of things to shine a light on our hearts. Donna Partow spoke recently on what she calls “the gambling spirit.” Quoting Donna, “A gambling spirit believes I can get a desirable result without having to do the hard work others have done to get that same result. To expose myself to danger and proceed in spite of it and in the face of it.” Ouch.
That just smacked me in the heart. Recently I had my lipids tested. I usually eat healthy (just way too much), but I have been eating things not good for me for a while – like since Christmas. I saw myself in Donna’s words. I’m gambling that I will be the one person that doesn’t suffer consequences from a poor diet. That somehow the extra weight I carry can be lost quickly. I want it gone easy. Not with a lot of hard work like others who have lost 50 pounds.
Here’s another – gambling spiritually. Do you see yourself here? The one person that can neglect prayer and Bible reading and still have a close relationship with God. How about financially (credit card debt)?
This is where Lysa’s quote above gives such comfort. It is out of love that Holy Spirit convicts our hearts of sin, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son {and daughter} whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:6, ESV
I think the scary thing would be when we don’t hear Him speaking. When our spirits don’t feel that nudge that something needs to change. His sheep know His voice. “His light not only helps us get free but see where to walk from here.” – Lysa
Lord, invade any darkness that is in us or around us. Not only shine brightly on our sin, but shine brightly on the pathway out. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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