I’m struggling with this year going by so quickly. Is anyone else caught off guard by it already inching to the end of October? There were several things planned in August and September that we were wishing would get here faster and time just seemed to eek by. Then those things came and went without the same speed it took to get here. One of our kiddos broke her wrist on August 1st and it was ages before she was released from the prison of her pins and cast. Our extended family trip to the Outer Banks flew by (partly due to the high winds of Hurricane Ian) and our work trip in Ohio is already done.
The coastal region of North Carolina is drastically different from the rolling hills of where we ventured on our Ohio trip. Driving through the countryside was a delicious treat for our coastal eyes. October turned out to be the perfect time to see the changing colors of the trees and other foliage. We’re also used to 36 feet above sea level consistently for as far as the eye can see (and further), so the hilly region was also a very nice change. While it’s gorgeous during the day, I was kind of surprised at how intensely beautiful it is at night.
We were headed to the farmhouse we were staying at after an evening with friends and the full moon had the sky aglow (and most every field of corn we drove by). Someone in the truck made a comment about how bright the moon was to our six-year-old daughter. It got me thinking about the source of the light. As much as I say I hate science, I really don’t. My brain shut down when I discovered that I really didn’t care about memorizing the periodic table, so at that juncture, I checked out. I did, however, love learning about Creation. Maybe, for those out there who are believers of the Big Bang Theory, I agree with you – God spoke and BANG! It was… and oh so good!
As I pondered how our night was illuminated so efficiently, my thoughts started going in multiple directions. The moon itself has no light. The moon is only reflecting the light of the sun. The sun is the source. Near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he speaks to His disciples about who they are.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
I’m going to have to level with y’all for a minute. Every time I’ve been in the Word lately, going to my Bible study and Life Group, I have been faced with a precipice. Every. Time. This precipice is one that I need to jump off and trust that God is going to give me wings to fly. Phrases that keep coming up are IT’S TIME and GO FORWARD and SHINE YOUR LIGHT and DON’T GIVE UP and RELEASE YOUR WORSHIP. Other things have come up to further confirm, but these are the ones that keep coming up over and over (and over) again.
Anyone else have God try to get your attention in this way? He’s always talking, but we’re not always listening. Oftentimes we’re too busy or we’re distracted, and other times we just don’t want to hear it. I’ve been sitting on something for more than 6 years with the excuse of trying to wait for the right moment or simply trying to psych myself up. Anyone else? Then there are the silent (yet loud) inner arguments about how we’re not qualified, we’re not ready, or we can’t be used on any significant platform. Am I alone in this?
DON’T GIVE UP.
God doesn’t do anything on accident. He gifts individuals perfectly and deliberately. Deliberately on purpose He gives you specific talents. Can it get any clearer?
When Jesus is talking to His disciples, telling them they’re the light of the world, I immediately think of the call for believers to share the good news to the world. Share Jesus! Don’t hide Jesus from anyone but tell any and every one you come across. Not all of us are called to be pastors or missionaries to foreign lands, but He has called everyone who puts their faith in Him to shine their light.
SHINE YOUR LIGHT.
The same way that the sun is the source of light for the moon, Jesus is the source of our light, reflecting the glory of God. Are we covering up our mirror? Are putting our light under a bowl as to hide it away because of thoughts of inadequacy or self-proclaimed humility (which is actually pride)? Are we afraid of what others will think of us if we share the gifts God gave us? Seriously, this post is just as much for me as it is for you.
IT’S TIME.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV
But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him. II Corinthians 3:18 TLB
I have a theory, and it works for me so I’ll share it, that our individual giftings in action are worship to God. Allowing Jesus’ light to reflect in our actions and words are worship to God. This pierces deeply for me because I absolutely love my time in worshiping God. He is so beyond our ability to fathom that I can’t help but stand in wonder. These past several weeks have convicted me over and over again that God is urging me to take the next step off the precipice I’ve been avoiding.
RELEASE YOUR WORSHIP.
Do you have a precipice you keep coming to? Are you struggling to trust that God brought you to it and He’ll bring you through it? Sorry, I know that’s a bit corny. But seriously, God is deliberate in the gifts He bestows. He’s purposeful in the desires He plants in your heart. He’s planned great things for you. GO FORWARD. Drop your inhibitions and pride and step out onto the path God has set before you. Sometimes that path will require that you jump off that cliff in faith – do the hard thing that He has equipped you to do.
IT’S TIME.
SHINE YOUR LIGHT.
GO FORWARD.
DON’T GIVE UP.
RELEASE YOUR WORSHIP.
I would love to encourage you, pray for you, and cheer you on. Send me an email (ohblessitgrace@gmail.com) and I’ll partner with you in prayer and join you in praise.
I love how God is relentless in reminding us over and over again of something He is telling us. He is faithful to remind us until we step out and do it. I find it to be confirming. I will confess, I don’t step out until going through this confirming process with Him. He knows me. So He is happy to do what I need to accomplish His will in this place.
Also the view from a precipice is pretty confirming. Don’t you think?