Let His Light Shine!

Recently, singer, songwriter, author, and speaker, Kathy Troccoli tweeted that: "the lord will take a flashlight to your heart if you let him..."  In total agreement, I believe that 'flashlights' are good!   Living in a part of the country where thunderstorms and hurricanes can come from seemingly out of nowhere, I've reached for one on many occasions!  So my usage of flashlights has generally been during crisis situations. Think about it, how often does one reach for a flashlight when the lights are on?  Or when the sun is shining?  Generally speaking, we tend to need that light when the power goes out!  When the flashlight switch is turned on, that light can make a welcomed and needed path through the darkness, granting the possessor the ability to navigate with greater skill.   

Without wanting to add to or take away from Kathy's intriguing comment,  I do want to say that I have and do allow Jesus to shine His light in my life. I have to! The Bible says that, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;" (Jeremiah 17:9a)..."Who can know it?" (Jer.17:b) Only He can truly identify those areas that still need to be yielded to Him. Make no mistake, He already knows the content of my heart and yours, the what and the why of what we do--"I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.(Jer.17:10)  Being the Light of the world, Jesus makes a path for us to navigate through life optimally, yet granting grace when we fail--"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)   

Yes, flashlights are good...especially in, but not limited to, e M e R g E n C i E s!  So when the choices and decisions of life beckon to tempt my heart to act like it's old (wicked) nature (Jer. 17:9a), I will need to turn to the Light of life for direction, wisdom and strength.  If need be, recall His plan for mankind, in general. More specifically, His plan for me. Whatever it takes to regain my attention and to align my will to His once again.

With a heart like mine, the 'flashlight approach' is my only hope!  In fact, most times it is a welcoming, comforting place to be; in the spotlight of His loving scrutiny. He re-DE-fines and RE-fines a heart's motive--“If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15).  Am I acting out of love for Him?  Or is something else the driving force?  Isn't the reason for following Christ, one that desires to live in His presence always?  Even forever? As believers we do and will! (John 14:1-3).

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."(1 John 1:7)..."these things we write to you that your joy may be full." (1 John 1:4)!!!

Let His light shine!