Before cleaning my awful room this morning and tackling the day, I wanted to have some time with Jesus. Lately, my life has gone from one extreme from the other and flipped upside down or at least I think it has. I have always thought to myself that I can do it alone but in reality I can't. I cannot deal with the problems of the world or the situations I make worse than what they really are. One of my favorite devotionals is Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young and the devotional for today, July 23, 2016 reads as follows:
I am the Light of the world. Men crawl through their lives cursing the darkness, but all the while I am shining brightly. I desire each of My followers to be a Light-bearer. The Holy Spirit who lives in you can shine from your face, making Me visible to people around you. Ask My Spirit to live through you as you wend your way through this day. Hold My hand in joyful trust, for I never leave your side. The Light of My Presence is shining upon you. Brighten up the world by reflecting who I am.
I love this passage because the world has become so dark and weary. I can be honest and say that I have not been the light this world needs, especially not the light I need for myself. The devil is continuing to push himself through this world and through people who think they are worthy enough to stay in my life. He has no place in the world where he is welcome and has no business here. As Christians, we need to continue to be the light to this world.
I have fallen off my path with Christ and I am slowly making my way back to Him. It wasn't because I was angry or mad, I just found myself distracted or not acknowledging the fact that He is there. I keep calling out to Him more when I need help rather than calling on Him for thanksgiving on a daily basis. It's amazing how one little hiccup in life makes us think that our life is over. We think that in that moment our life has gone dark and there is no light to be seen. But if God is the light of the world, then why do we think He isn't the light when our own world goes dark? He is the constant light in our life and our world. Christians lead by example so if we are constantly promoting hate, deception and darkness, that is what our world will continue to be like. We need to lead as lights into world just as it says in Psalms 119:105:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
I challenge myself and you today to become the light in someone's dark world. Allow yourself to be used continually through Christ on a daily basis, not when it is convenient for you. I will do the same as I continue to pray for the darkness in this world to leave and let God's light show from all corners of the Earth.