Got a light?

{Photo Credit}

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”

~ Luke 11:33

It makes perfect sense doesn’t it? The “White Knight” always wins…Being a light is a blessing! Why would anyone want to hide their light?

I’ll tell you why…scripture explains it perfectly.

“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear his deeds will be exposed”

~John 3:20

When we are around others who fear, don’t understand, or hate the light…it puts us in an akward situation, doesn’t it? We’re out of our comfort zone with like-minded family and friends….all of a sudden we feel the need to cover up. To blend in. To slight our beliefs. To bend….not offend.

For a married Christian man, it could mean going golfing with other married friends who make flirtatious comments about women. He would seem prudent not to join in….right? A witty joke under his breath would give him a pat on the back and some laughter. That feels a lot better than hearing, “Man, you’ve been driving that swagger wagon to church a little too much, loosen up a little.” 

Or for a Christian woman getting together with friends. They start gossiping about another friend’s personal life. She would offend the Ladies if she asked them to stop….so she listens, laughs and adds a few stories she’s heard too.

For a teenager, it’s rough. The music, movies, language, alcohol, drug use, clothing, relationships…the list is looooong…its all so enticing.  Everyone’s doing these things. She’s desperately seeking love and approval during this sensitive stage of life..it sure would be easier to blend in. Here comes that basket over the candle image again.  

Ugh, this makes me ill thinking about all the times I’ve done this. The people pleasing ….being embarrassed of my light for Jesus. It’s the “trading the treasure in heaven thing for the measly praise on earth thing again“. Blah!

There’s a few problems when we do this.

1. Our faith is shaken: Psalm 62:6 says, “He alone is my rock and salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” We aren’t trusting in God’s truth and His plan. We’re more concerned about making others and ourselves comfortable. 

2. We aren’t fearing God enough: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and the body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 {enough said}.

3. We are passing up the opportunity to be contagious: Jesus said “Let your light shine upon men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”~Matthew 5:16. We are told by Jesus to SHINE for HIS glory! Sometimes these peers mentioned above are craving the light but are so used to living in darkness…your hand can be the one that lifts them out. 

Let me be an example to #3…if my neighbor Julie {I know you’re reading Julie, Hi my friend!} did not shine her light on me by knocking on my door and inviting me to her bible study…I would not be writing for Comfy in the Kitchen.

So ladies…if you’ve “Got a light”…let me encourage you today to let it shine brightly….

Keep strong in your faith, Fear God, and by all means BE CONTAGIOUS!!!!

I want to leave you with this….

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-10.

This is when Jesus stepped away from all of the crowds {all the noise}…went and sat on a mountainside and taught his disciples….

 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

MUCH love to you!