A Change of Lighting...

I have a wonderful outdoor room. It is actually my back porch, but this summer we literally have lived out there. We entertain out there. We eat out there. We cook out there. We meet out there. We talk and share and love out there. It is like another room of our home.

There are fans with lights and there are several overhead lights. You can control how many lights are on and how much light you have. But it still felt big and sterile to me at times. As we have moved around furniture and moved out children from our home, I found an old dresser that we weren't using. We dragged it out of the basement and up to the porch. I found an old lamp that wasn't being used and put it outside too. That night I turned off most of the lights and just left on the lamp. Finally, I got the feel that I was looking for.

There is something about lamp light. It is warm and inviting. It is not over powering. It is peaceful and calming. As I sat outside with the dark night all around me, I realized that this is a picture of God's love. His Light is warm and inviting. It is peaceful and calming. But the amazing thing about God's light is that it draws us close and comforts us while at the same time over powering the darkness of the world around us.

As I sat in that lamp light, I thought of all the memories on that porch. We have celebrated birthdays and hosted Homecoming parties out there. We have grilled our family meals and fed countless friends out there. I have had many conversations with my daughters and sweet friends out there. I have prayed with and for many a hurting heart out there. Danny and I have snuggled at the end of a long day out there. We have found peace and safe haven from a dark world out there. And we have found strength to go on another day out there.

But when I added the lamp, the room looked and felt different all of sudden. And I wondered if my light feels that way? Am I warm and inviting? Am I peaceful and calming. Is my light over powering or does it draw people in? God's Word says we should let our lights shine before men so that they may see our good works and therefore glorify our God. Our lights come from His Spirit within us. We shine because He does. Not because of anything we do on our own.

So today, sweet friends, go be a lamp. Help light the darkness of someone's day. Invite them into your warmth and show them the Peace that passes all understanding. You don't have to be a halogen bulb that lights up a massive area. You can just be a lamp and light up your little corner. As long as the source is from Him, your light will make a difference. Rest in that Truth...

Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, 

on a light stand—shine! 

Keep open house; be generous with your lives. 

By opening up to others, you'll prompt people

 to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:16 the message