Last night at Bible study, the leader said something that got me thinking. He was talking about trust and saying that we, as humans, will only trust if we have a track record to go by. For example, we trust someone with our money if we know that so far he is an honest person and handles money well. He was talking about how we trust God because of His track record of proving Himself to us.
Pardon me, but I have to disagree. I believe that our trust in God is very unique. Everything about our relationship with God is unlike our relationships with one another. The beauty of trust in God is that we can trust Him simply because He is God, and we don't have to base our trust in Him on His proving Himself. For example, take someone who has never had a relationship with God or been to church, etc., and then decides to give their life to the Lord. They put their faith in Him because God gives them grace to do so (see Ephesians chapter 2) and because they simply make the choice.
There have been times in my life when I don't know why I am in a particular situation or I don't know what the future will be like...and, yes, during these times I do count on the fact that the last time I was in this position, God brought me through. So I don't completely discredit this notion. However, this would be when a person is at a mature point spiritually.
What about the times when you or I wonder where God was when such-and-such happened? What about when we doubt Him? There have been times in my life when I was so hurt and betrayed by others that I wondered why I should trust God. In those times, you may not be able to see clearly a record of God's faithfulness to you. In fact, you may even be angry at God, which I have been before. That is when you CHOOSE to BLINDLY trust. I use the word blindly not to indicate it is dumb, of course, but to say that you may not feel you can trust or you may not be convinced that trusting will lead to safety and reassurance...but you choose to trust anyway.
Even Jesus mentioned this kind of trust. He had been raised from the dead, and the disciples had discovered Him walking among them. At this point, Jesus said (John 20:29), "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Candles
There's something about candles. They are beautiful. They are captivating. Is it the light? Is it the presence? Is it the atmosphere they create? Is it the emotions they induce? Could it be their aroma? I can't quite put my finger on it. However, it is certain that candles are captivating.
We light them when we want to set a mood. We light them when we want romance. We light them at weddings and funerals. We light them in church services. We light them in concerts and vigils. We light them.
The other day I was pondering where the rest of my life is going to go and my larger-than-life dreams for Africa. My mind drifted to the verse that says, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. 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."
As I was thinking of this verse, God revealed a marvelous concept to me. A candle must be lit. It cannot light itself, nor can it blow itself out. Its power rests completely in the one who can make light. Just think of it! I am a candle brightly lit. My light will never go out, for I cannot blow myself out! He has put His light in me so that no matter where I go, it's there.
Now let's say, perhaps, that there are ways for a candle to shine dimly. This may be because it is not ready to receive the flame- the wick is the wrong length, there is water on it, etc. It could be because the candle is behind something. It may be because the candle has formed a pit inside itself so that the light cannot reach the surface of the candle. The point is that the candle must be in the proper condition for the light to shine brightly.
The other promise God made is what to do with me (and you!!) now that I am lit. The Scripture above says that a candle which is lit will be held up and displayed to give light to everyone around it. Imagine! Just imagine God holding you or me up with His mighty hands as a beacon in this dark world. What an awesome thought!
Here is another thought that makes me giddy. How many new candles may be lit by one flame? The answer is: infinite!!!! Can you just picture it? There is literally no limit to the number of people you can "light" when you let His light shine in you! :)
I don't want to waste one day being a dim candle. I won't hide behind things to abstruct the light. I won't let junk pile up on my wick to keep me from lighting. I won't let a pit grow inside of me. I want to be the brightest candle there is. I want to be the one who, when God needs a flashlight to light a dark way, He reaches inside His toolbox with a smile and says, "Ah! Finally, one bright enough." :)
We light them when we want to set a mood. We light them when we want romance. We light them at weddings and funerals. We light them in church services. We light them in concerts and vigils. We light them.
The other day I was pondering where the rest of my life is going to go and my larger-than-life dreams for Africa. My mind drifted to the verse that says, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. 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."
As I was thinking of this verse, God revealed a marvelous concept to me. A candle must be lit. It cannot light itself, nor can it blow itself out. Its power rests completely in the one who can make light. Just think of it! I am a candle brightly lit. My light will never go out, for I cannot blow myself out! He has put His light in me so that no matter where I go, it's there.
Now let's say, perhaps, that there are ways for a candle to shine dimly. This may be because it is not ready to receive the flame- the wick is the wrong length, there is water on it, etc. It could be because the candle is behind something. It may be because the candle has formed a pit inside itself so that the light cannot reach the surface of the candle. The point is that the candle must be in the proper condition for the light to shine brightly.
The other promise God made is what to do with me (and you!!) now that I am lit. The Scripture above says that a candle which is lit will be held up and displayed to give light to everyone around it. Imagine! Just imagine God holding you or me up with His mighty hands as a beacon in this dark world. What an awesome thought!
Here is another thought that makes me giddy. How many new candles may be lit by one flame? The answer is: infinite!!!! Can you just picture it? There is literally no limit to the number of people you can "light" when you let His light shine in you! :)
I don't want to waste one day being a dim candle. I won't hide behind things to abstruct the light. I won't let junk pile up on my wick to keep me from lighting. I won't let a pit grow inside of me. I want to be the brightest candle there is. I want to be the one who, when God needs a flashlight to light a dark way, He reaches inside His toolbox with a smile and says, "Ah! Finally, one bright enough." :)
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