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Don’t you love how summer nights stay light so much longer? And after breath-taking sunsets fade into dark, the next performance begins…the lightning bugs. You cannot predict where the next will glow, yet using a canopy of foliage as their backdrop, they sparkle in choreographed precision as they surround you for hours. I find lightning bug incredibly relaxing and mesmerizing, especially with the giggling voices of my children surround me as they try to catch one.
I am writing this blog from one of my favorite places, a beautiful inland lake in northern Michigan. We often refer to it as God’s Country: where the trees are dark green, sharing their pungent pine scent as they climb high to the sky, where the lake is cool, sparkling and perfect for water skiing and tubing. A place where the cool mornings allow for a great run or round of golf and the evenings are full of the setting sun, card games, the smell of cedar decking and fire-pits. It’s a place where you’re relieved that your cell phone has spotty reception.
Our home is on the sunrise side, meaning we get an amazing sunset each night –yet it took researching this blog to uncover that the old wife’s tale we often repeat: “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning” is actually Biblical. In Matthew 16:2-3 Jesus replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red, and in the morning, today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.”
Also as breathe-taking, is when an incredible thunder-storm form across our lake. Our palette of forest green, dusty dirt-road brown and sky blue are enveloped by the storm’s gray fog, forcing us to quickly take shelter from the swirling tree branches, pounding cold rain and bolts of lightning.
It’s in this setting of pink sunrises and purple sunsets, of sparkling lightning bugs, orange camp fires and the dark-allure of the storm…is it any wonder that I ponder, why are we attracted to light? I think it is more than the illumination, more than the watts they provide. Is it the flicker of beauty? Is it the masterpieces of Creation grabbing our attention? Why do natural forms of light draw us in and captivates us?
In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”. WOW The light of life. Which is defined as the pillar of fire – representing Jesus bringing God’s presence, protection and guidance.
Hear that again, “Whoever follows Jesus will never walk in darkness, but will have God’s presence, protection and guidance.
Do you want that? I definitely want those three blessings!
Traveling to our lake is mostly highway driving, except for the final 90-minutes. It is on these last miles where we drive by a water dam, baby sheep, plus field after field of corn, soy-beans and large rolls of hay. We pass through many one-stop-light towns, including the sign boasting Michigan’s Smallest City, population 313 …as well as camp fire slogans like this reminder: “Before you light it, be prepared to fight it!” They make me smile. I reminisce how much Smokey the Bear and undocumented, but hilarious “cousins” Yogi and Boo Boo were part of my childhood.
Yet this year, as I was penning this blog, I wondered if there was a spiritual message too. By saying yes to Jesus, by receiving the inheritance of salvation and having the Holy Spirit living inside, there is no doubt Our light will shine, Your light will shine. People will notice His presence in you.
Just like how one spark from a campfire can ignite the entire forest, a tiny, mustard-seed size of faith can ignite one person to another … leading to the perfect networking effect of igniting a family, a friendship group, a school, workplace, community, city, global organization …and the world. (Reference Matthew 13:31).
Are you prepared to share and fight for your beliefs? Are you ready to be a spark?
I think you are ready for God’s presence, protection and guidance – for His Light of Life. So, I ask you, how can you be the “lamp on the stand that gives light to everyone in the house”? (Matthew 5:15). How can you stay on your faith path and remain faithful? (2 Corinthians 6:1-11, Proverbs 5:21). How can you get into and learn scripture more days of each week – because “your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105-112). How can you turn strobe lights on the “dark corners” that you are embarrassed to share? Preventing the enemy from taking ground on moral issues. “See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness”. (Luke 11:33-36).
Be encouraged by these five ideas. You won’t be alone, God’s Presence will keep you captivated more than the lightning bugs. And better than any trail guide, we have our Lord’s good words of scripture to read, …plus, unlike cellphones, His reception is always spot-on! Yes, there will be trials (James 1:2-4, Romans 2:7, Romans 5:3-5) and struggles (read all four Good Word Project blogs Brokenhearted), but quicker than the storm brewing on the lake (Isaiah 25:4), our “great, mighty, Awesome God” (Deut. 10:17) will envelope us with His shield of protection, always.
Are you looking for more light in your life…pray with me:
Lord – I want the Light of Life you promise. I want to know your presence, protection and guidance every day. Please let your light shine through me, that others get a glimpse of you from my actions and good deeds and that all I always give the glory to you, my Heavenly Father”. (adapted from John 8:12 and Matthew 5:16).
Originally published on www.Goodwordproject.com