Last week I spent a few days at the lake. As is my habit, I awoke before daylight and headed to the living room to sit in my recliner which looks through glass doors overlooking the water. I love to watch the darkness slowly dissipate as the often fog-coated mirror of the lake grows gradually brighter. That day, I was sorely disappointed, irritated even, to find that my neighbor across the way had left on a floodlight aimed right across the water in my direction! I fumed for longer than I should have, even contemplating yelling across the sound-carrying surface, "TURN OFF YOUR LIGHT WHEN YOU GO TO BED!!!" After all, it was shining right in my eyes! But then....
...as I squinted at that light like an angry old hen, the beams became a cross, which truly took my breath (and my fury) away. You can see it faintly in the picture above, but it was very clear to my eyes, that cross, and I began thinking. Jesus, the Light of the World, the Source of all Light, shone brighter than all the stars in Heaven, and yet to most of the world He was, and still is, more offensive than any spotlight on the lake could ever be, exposing more darkness and ugliness than any human "idea" could. Like that spotlight outshining the security lights on either side of it, He hung between two hardened criminals, the very Light of the World, completely innocent of all wrongdoing, shining until His last breath and beyond, because He was there for LOVE, not guilt. He took the sins of one of those criminals, the one who believed in Him, to the grave with Him, and took the criminal to His Heavenly home with Him!
Sadly, today it seems that the name of Jesus is more offensive to the world than ever before. And that makes us, His followers, offensive as well. But that's just what He promised:
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18 BSB)
Oh believer, let us never grow weary of shining His Light, the Good News, wherever we go, no matter the reception. Dear unbeliever, I beg you to let His Light in! No, it's not an easy path to follow. He doesn't promise us all moonlight and roses, pain-free days and peace-filled nights; quite the opposite:
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)
"Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name." (Matthew 24:9 BSB)
But the reward!
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." (John 3:14-18 BSB)
"He must increase and I must decrease."
John 3:30
✝️
Very well said and thank you for that perspective.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to read and comment-- you've started my day with a blessing!
DeleteAmen & thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how at first we don't see the true light shining to symbolize God's love. I had a similar experience last year. Off to the side of our backyard there is an unsightly telephone pole.One night. I went to sit in the window box to pray for a very sick friend. It was foggy and I looked over at the telephone pole. It was surrounded in fog and looked like a cross just to remind me of Jesus love and sacrifice. It was beautiful! My sweet friend died peacefully a few days later, but I knew she was safe and healthy again. If we look around God puts crosses in our paths daily.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charlanne for showing me to keep looking for God's promises.
This was written by your friend ,Carolyn Dees
DeleteThank you, dear friend, for this affirmation and for sharing your beautiful story. Keep being blessed to be a blessing! <3
DeleteThanks Charlene.. I also had an awesome experience similar to the same as the other person. On Easter morning 2 years ago I was outside walking the dog before church and my niece has a dogwood tree behind an old fence anyway the sun was just up a little bit and it made a perfect shadow in shape of the cross. It was beautiful and if I find the photo I will send it to you. Love you to the moon and back.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this story and the photo, dear Mary! I love you MORE! ;-)
DeleteWhat a wonderfully thought provoking blog! Isn't it just a fine line between an angrily negative outlook to a completely spiritual, positive, filled with praise, awe, and gratitude for the creator who allowed this experience!
ReplyDeleteGood lesson not to be stuck in negativism but speedily allow our creator to switch it to positivism filled with His love and blessings for us.
Thank you, dear "Dr. P," for your thoughtful and wise comment! You are always a blessing! <3
DeleteThe best story yet! Just think if you were not walking close to The Lord you would of missed it! The Greatest Gift and Story ever told is JESUS!!!! Love you mama
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Sooo pleased I know this Lord ofif the heavens, !!
DeleteYou also captured Venus in the morning sky!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Morning Star!!! 🥰
ReplyDeleteAmen! Keep shinig His Light!!!
ReplyDelete