Shine a Light

If you have ever seen The Muppets, you may be familiar with the elderly duo of Statler and Waldorf. Statler and Waldorf sit in a box seat in the Muppet Theater and take great delight in mocking and heckling the Muppets. They usually have the last word of the show which is a snide remark that gets them laughing at the Muppets. Statler and Waldorf have a unique position in the Muppets. They are close enough to see what is going on and offer their critiques yet are far enough away not to be involved in the events of the show.

I wonder how often as Christians we are tempted to take the position of a Statler and a Waldorf. Do we sit high above in the balcony seats only to offer critiques and snide remarks about what is happening in the world around us? Do we take great pride in belittling things that are different? Have we removed ourselves so far from those around us that we are no longer involved in their lives?

As a Christian, don’t be a Statler and Waldorf. God would rather us a light a candle than curse the darkness. Jesus reminds us that, if we follow Him, we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Have we taken that light to places and people that need it? It’s easy to sit back, uninvolved, offering an occasional comment or critique of the world. It takes a bit more work to love the world around you and shine a light. The great beauty of the gospel is that it reminds us that God came to us when we couldn’t get to Him. God having every right to condemn a world full of sin and strife chose to redeem us through love.

Jesus was often critiqued by some of the Statler’s and Waldorf’s of His day. They condemned Jesus for spending time with sinners. However, that is exactly the reason Jesus came, to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost (Luke 15:3-7). O how we miss the mark when we forget Jesus taught us that we too must reach those who are lost.

So, the next time it feels easier just to sit back and complain, make a choice to shine a light. How could you help someone in need? What encouragement or truth could you share to bring clarity? How could you show the love of God to another? There is plenty of darkness in the world. When you come across it, change it by shining your light for Jesus.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16, ESV

The Light

Christmas time brings so many memories for me and I would like to share one with you. Every year my dad and I put the tree up together on Christmas Eve. We had a tree topper that was a star and the middle cylinder revolved throwing different colors all over the room. After decorating the tree, we would turn off all the lights leaving only the tree on. I would curl up in my pops lap and watch the colors float around the room. It was a special, magical time that felt so calm, so warm.

I think part of what made it special was because it was just me and my papa quietly talking, soaking in the light and love of Christmas. This time of year isn’t meant to be all hustle, rush, and stress. The best of Christmas comes in the small quiet moments. The lasting memories aren’t who got what. The things that will stick with you down the years are moments spent in the light of love, God’s love, family love, love shared with friends.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you. God is light, in him there is no darkness at all. -1 John 1:5, NIV

I pray that you are able to spend time soaking in the light of God’s love, and just as important sharing the light with someone else. Remember the best gift ever came from above! Merry Christmas to you all as you light up the world with His love!

Circles

Today will not be yesterday
Today was yesterday

Today will be different
Today was the same

Today I begin
Today I never started

Today I pray
Today I prayed

Today I learn
Today I learned

Today I believed a lie
Today God showed me that lie

Today a small change happens
Today happened

The repetition of sunrises & sunsets, of work weeks & weekends, of habits & patterns can convince us that we’re just going in circles, that much of the desired change we wish in ourselves will never occur. However, my beloved friend, this is simply not true.

Change is something that is always occurring. In fact, it is inevitable. We can attempt mastery over it, but I have found little success with that myself. However, a rapport with Jesus over time has brought my character to places where I feel no shame but rather I feel humbled and honored to be.

I don't have one verse for you today. I sought Jesus in prayer, and He led me to scripture and insights for my day. I ask today that you just take time to build your rapport with Him and I assure you beautiful changes in time will come to you.

Walk the Walk

There are plenty of people out there that can talk the talk, but far less that actually walk the walk. The bible has word for when our walk matches our talk. It’s called faithfulness. There is also a word for when our walk doesn’t match our talk. It’s called hypocrisy. Proverbs 20:6 poses a question that I think each one of us should consider.

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? -Proverbs 20:6, ESV

In essence, it is asking us, who is actually going to walk the walk? Who is going to live with integrity? Who will be faithful to follow-through? Our actions, for better or worse, teach others about the God we claim to follow. When we walk the walk as Christians it helps people to get a clear picture of who God really is. When there is a disconnect between our words and our actions, we distort the character of God in our hypocrisy.

Nominal means in name only. We shouldn’t be nominal Christians. That is, if you say you are a Christian, you ought to live like a Christian. What damage we cause when we say we follow Christ, yet we act like we have never met Him. Is there an area of your life where your walk isn’t matching your talk? Choose today to live faithfully. People are looking for something real and when you walk the walk, they will get a taste of it. Let your light shine bright for God’s glory. I’ll leave with a chorus today from the Mark Trammell Quartet.

You know, your walk talks, and your talk talks
But your walk talks louder than your talk talks
Your behavior toward your neighbor
Is really how you feel about the Savior
When you exemplify and shine the Light of Christ
You know the number in the kingdom will be multiplied.
Yes, your walk talks, and your talk talks,
But your walk talks louder than your talk talks.