Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Be the Light

this morning I found myself focused on a beautiful strand of simple white lights. I noticed a couple bulbs no longer were glowing and some missing bulbs.  Made me think of those annoying strands of Christmas lights that when 1 bulb went out the whole strand went dark.  Then you were stuck checking each light to find the broken bulb and searching for a new bulb to replace broken one. Time consuming hassle, right?  Yet this strand of lights was different.  The majority of the strand remained lit. Hmmm. I chose to believe God was trying to highlight something for me.
God is light. He loves us in our dark brokenness.  Without Him we are lost.  He teaches us to be a light in this dark world - to the show his goodness and love.  He calls us to unite with other believers to accomplish this journey - whether it be a church, family, friends, or group of broken strangers.  We are not expected to do this alone.
I don't believe you have to know God to be a light. There are tons of encouraging awesome people that makes this world a better place.  I believe individually we can shine pretty bright. However, we burn out.   We come upon challenges that break us, we wear out, we hurt, we get angry and explode, we face impossible situations - we lose our glow.  Then what?  We darken the whole stand.  We spread negativity. Others search for a new source of light. A new bulb to fix the strand.  A new person or thing to follow.
The light God shines and teaches us to share is not the same light.  His light strengthens. His light heals. His light is love.  And when a group of His lights come together they brighten the world.  No bulb is perfect.  Each bulb has unique glow that God specifically designed.  We still burn out. Sometimes we run away. The difference is we are surrounded and united with other bulbs that share the same source.  We relight each other with prayer and love.  We hold each other up.  We remind each other the truth. 
It's about the group or the church nor the denomination.  It's not about the pastor or leader. It's not about our abilities.  I will be first to admit I am far from capable on my own.  I have been a burnt bulb for awhile - even wanted to run away. But I have been blessed with amazing other bulbs that keep pushing me in right direction. Blessed with prayers over a slip of paper. Blessed with hugs.  Blessed with listening ears.  Blessed with laughter over introductory questions. Blessed to be part of a strand whose source is greater than the world can dream of.

Maybe you find yourself in dark place needing some light. Or maybe you are bright light looking for a strand to plug into. 
Join us as we gather together to be the light.  

We will next be hanging out from 645-800 pm on the 4th of August at McAllister Recreation Center in Lafayette - there is free childcare as always

Meg

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