Scripture Reading(s)
Luke 11:33-36
33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.
35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.
36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”
Reflections
I am the type of person that loves having a lot of light in the house. When my husband and I first moved into our house, the first thing we wanted changed was putting up more lights in the main living room. Once we finally got the electrical work done and the new chandelier put up, it made a world of a difference. The whole room lit up and we were able to notice details about the room that we couldn’t exactly notice before when it was dark. It also helped us notice that were other things about the room that needed some work that the light allowed for us to see.
There is a stark contrast between darkness and light. The darkness tries to hide and cover up all the things that need to be exposed. It also blinds us to seeing things as they truly are. The light helps give clarity to what it is that our eyes are seeing. Much like how light gives great exposure to a dark room, so does the light in our hearts do the same.
When our hearts are pursuing things that are holy, pure, just and are aimed at reflecting Christ, so will then our lives be living examples of the light that is living in our hearts. If the opposite is taking place and we are just exposing ourselves to darkness, then our actions will too reflect the darkness that is living in our hearts.
Our hearts are either exposing things that are good or evil. It all begins with the heart and what the heart is longing for. God’s word speaks clearly about where our hearts are, that is where our treasure also lies. Meaning the things that we pursue and covet most is an exact reflection of what is taking place on the inside.
Take the time to examine your own heart and see what it is that is either bringing darkness or light to your life. Ask for God to reveal the things that need to be removed and look to Him for the strength to let go of those things and pursue holiness.
Jesus’ illustration of the eye mirrors my dad used to say to me;
garbage in, garbage out.
My father was not a man of many words but he did have a lot of southern quips and phrases. As a teenager he would warn me that if I put junk in my ears and eye then it would eventually come out of me one way or another. Jesus is telling people a very similar thing.
We must use our eyes and other parts for walking in the light, not the darkness. We must avoid temptations, not simply believe that we can endure them. We must also shine our lights so that it can illuminate for others. We are an example and people are watching. If you profess to be a Christian, people are paying attention to your behavior. Therefore, walk in the light and the Spirit that is within you. Show the world that Jesus is still alive and His Spirit is within.
[Featured image from biblescreen.com]