You will want to dance your way through this life-giving, encouraging chapter. Mimi’s and Shelley’s personal stories reflect the wonderful truth they are presenting in this chapter. I had taken the book to my bedroom where I hoped to read a bit before resting on this hot afternoon. Instead, their words woke me to a truth too exciting to read while lying down. In fact, I wanted to get up and dance when I read the prayers they suggest for spiritual and heart sight. “Shine your light in me so that I may see what you see. Use my eyes.” (p. 44) Though I often pray to see life from God’s perspective, I think there is a difference in their prayer and mine.I also loved the words about our transformation into being the Light of the World that Jesus talks about in Matthew 5:14. Not only can God help us see what He sees, He can use us to show the world Himself. He is so gracious to use us in our imperfection and so powerful to transform our willingness to be light and reveal Himself to those who need His light. This is exciting stuff to live!
This week, as you read and ponder this chapter, please let go of “shoulds” and “oughts" that may cause you to assume you already know this truth. Let God take you deeper into dancing in His life-giving light. When you post, please share any new insights you’ve gained or the holy habit you wish to develop to help you grow in this amazing truth.
My Response:
It is really amazing that God’s power and light is great enough to shine through us to the extent that we are called to shine our light for the world to see Jesus! Amazing! One of the fun parts of our recent move from the West Coast to the East Coast has been learning to make friends with people who are from the “Big Apple.” Their no-nonsense reputations and lack of friendly exterior made them a bit intimidating to me—but as I started being who I really am, a pretty friendly child of God, people have begun to respond. We say “hey” as we meet someone on the street—they glance at us in surprise—and then they smile and greet us. That is pretty cool.
Looking clerks in the eyes and calling them by name with a kind word also gets a surprised response—but then a smile and some connection. This is just a small way for me to be light in my community—but I think it is a fun way to bring LIFE into the world around me. This has become a holy habit for me—one I hope to continue to practice!
3 comments:
I was struck by the statement, "When we open our lives to His salvation, we are inviting His light into us... With Christ we are alive---dancing in the light." (p.43) I love this idea of Christ's light living and dancing within me. What He did for us was so complex and amazing--- I am struck in a sweet, new-like-way today! Not only does He give me freedom from sin and eternal life. Not only does He give me access to a loving Father and a powerful Name; BUT, through His death on the cross He fills me with LIGHT. What a sweet concept. Good reminders of ALL He has given us!! And, as a "cracked pot" (p. 48) I have the opportunity to always and every day live with that light shining forth. I want to walk in this truth today!!
To live our lives to the 'praise of His glory' by choosing to believe in God's goodness even when we can't see it because of some difficulty we face (infertility, singleness, health issue, etc). The Light that comes out of us, even when we are unaware, gives and helps us and also those who can't see because of unbelief.
Jesus spoke "I am the light of the world" as all the lights were going out after the feast of Tabernacles. Amazing....How God brings all things together, for the 'praise of His glory.'
The truth that caught me"...Darkness cannot absorb light...God's light can shine through us (pg49)".It tells me that no matter how dark my days are they are shining by HIS LIGHT. Dark days will not be able to blow out my Light. Because I am "...a Light catcher uniquely formed by Him...pg 50" What a priveledge it is to be a His Light catcher!
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