Fountain of light

“For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.” (Psalm 36:9 NLT)

Life and light gush forth in abundance from God. In order to make the most of this overflowing benevolence, all we have to do is be near the Source. Yet, even a close relationship with Christ does not guarantee a trouble-free existence.

"We stumble and fall constantly even when we are most enlightened. But when we are in true spiritual darkness, we do not even know that we have fallen." (Thomas Merton)

The light of Christ enables us to notice the inherent weakness of the human condition. It doesn’t always prevent us from stumbling. Yet, without it we don’t even realize when we are wallowing in pits of slime and sin.

Enlightenment allows us to see our inadequacies and shape them into vessels which can receive grace. Our emptiness, our loneliness, our self-centeredness--all become receptacles. However, even pots can’t be filled if they are turned upside down. Faith enables us to turn right side up.   Hope permits us to face God. Trust opens us up to His love. As we remain centered in Christ, we become suffused in His overflowing light.

Lord, You are the source of life and light. Fill us up so we are overflowing with Your grace.

God is Consistent

“I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.” (Lamentations 3:20 NLT)

When disappointment pokes holes in our hope, when loss pierces our hearts, when sorrow shreds us to pieces--it is difficult to trust God. It is natural to question why a loving God would allow such misery. Our ideas about God do not line up with the injustice and affliction we experience. Cynicism takes over. Resentment overshadows trust. Anguish threatens to extinguish the flames of faith.

Even though we can’t forget the awful times of grief, we can still remember God’s constancy.

“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:23 NLT)

Although our beliefs are inconsistent, God is consistent. He is unfailingly compassionate. He is unwavering in mercy. Even when we overlook His enduring tenderness, His grace remains constant. Therefore, let us not project our fluctuating faith onto our unchanging God. Instead, let us acknowledge His persistent love, His undeviating dependability, and His  steadfast faithfulness.

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!   (Hymn by Thomas Chisholm)

Authenticity vs. Sincerity

“Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.” (Proverbs 20:5 MSG)

The words ‘authentic’ and ‘sincere’ are often used interchangeably to describe people who are genuine and straightforward. However, I have met many people who are sincere but not authentic. Individuals who have a superficial understanding of themselves and others may operate out of earnest, yet shallow, beliefs. Authenticity calls for a deeper awareness. It requires one to be inquisitive, observant, and contemplative.

A sincere person believes that his motives are pure, his reactions are honest, and his character is aboveboard. He rarely looks behind the curtains of his own mind. An authentic person, on the other hand, searches deep within, constantly sifting through his desires, intentions, and actions. He listens to His inner voice. He examines everything carefully. He is willing to question long-held beliefs. He is not content with reacting from surface emotions. He digs and digs until he finds truth.

Lord, help us to draw from the Spirit of Truth deep within us. May we always seek what is right and good. Show us how to live authentically.

Audacious Prayer Tactics

“When they weren't able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher.” (Mark 2:4 MSG)

Who are we carrying to Jesus right now in prayer? Are we breaking through? If not, how can we be more bold, unconventional, invasive? We may need more audacious prayer tactics. I don’t mean we are to be aggressive towards God, but we need to be more resourceful in breaking down barriers that separate us from Him.

Distractions, desires, fears, and other numerous obstacles stand between us and Christ. Audacious prayer tactics involve methodically tearing down each barrier. We need to be assertive and ambitious in our efforts. We must push through--refusing to succumb to discouragement and exhaustion. Pray consistently with determination. Boldly approach Christ, knowing that He wants us to be close. Once in His presence, confidently release everything to Him. “Trust Him. He knows what he’s doing, and he will keep on doing it.” (1 Peter 4:19 MSG)

Holy Spirit, enable us to break through the barriers between ourselves and Christ. Teach us to pray audaciously and persistently.

In the Light

“You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it!” (Ephesians 5:8 MSG)

I have to keep my curry leaf plant indoors during the winter. It remains alive, but there is no new growth. By the end of the winter, the plant looks dull and pathetic. Every year, I look forward to the arrival of warm, sunny days so that I can move the plant outdoors. The plant thrives in the light, putting out tender new shoots with bright green leaves.

Many of us are like plants which stay indoors too long. We know about Christ, but we aren’t ready to live with Him or go along with His plans. We are content to stay stagnant and do what we please. We may have managed to stay alive in the darkness, but we are withering. It is time to come out into the open and thrive in the light of Christ.

Prayer, at its best, brings us into the presence of God. We cannot control the light of Christ. All we can do is place ourselves in His light. We can decide to leave the darkened corners of our own domains and stand under the Son. We can choose to live under His influence, according to His intentions.

Lord, may Your light shine upon us as we place ourselves in Your presence.

Unceasing Prayer

“Pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV)

Everyone is busy. We have responsibilities. There is much to accomplish. And, when we are not being productive, we want to enjoy ourselves. Our to-do list is endless, and our time is limited. How can we pray without ceasing when there is so much to be done?

Maybe we need to rethink our ideas about what it means to pray. Many of us were raised to believe that prayer involved repeating lines which we had memorized.  Others learned to use Scripture verses as a preface to petitions. Whatever the methods or rituals, we were taught that prayer required us to take a break from our daily activities.

"To pray, I think, does not mean to think about God in contrast to thinking about other things, or to spend time with God instead of spending time with other people. Rather, it means to think and live in the presence of God.” (Henri Nouwen)

How do we think and live in the presence of God?

We are always in God’s presence, and He already knows our every thought. However, we are rarely aware of God’s omnipresence or omniscience.  We get so absorbed in ourselves and our own agenda that we become unconscious of God.

Prayer requires us to shift our focus from the Self to God. In order to pray continually, we have to be in constant communion with God, connected and open, mindful that our every thought, word, and deed happens in His presence. Through prayer we can acknowledge God and direct our entire being to Him. Presenting ourselves, moment by moment, to the God who is Ever-present and All-knowing--this is unceasing prayer.

Lord, help us to be constantly aware of Your presence.

Live in the Light

“Jesus said, "For a brief time still, the light is among you. Walk by the light you have so darkness doesn't destroy you. If you walk in darkness, you don't know where you're going. As you have the light, believe in the light. Then the light will be within you, and shining through your lives. You'll be children of light." (John 12:35-36 MSG)

Summer days are long and full of sunlight. The light makes plants grow--which, in turn, feed animals and humans--causing us to grow. Light affects our physical and mental health. It allows us to see where we are going and what we are doing. Yet, many people choose to live in darkness. They don’t want to face their flaws. Darkness allows them to pretend that evil is acceptable. Bright light reveals truth, and this can be uncomfortable for some.

Apart from Christ, darkness overtakes us. We get lost in a meaningless existence of pleasure seeking. Whether we realize it or not, our lives become pointless. With Christ, we are suffused in light. We are able to see Truth and walk confidently toward it. The light that is within us shines through us. We become expressions of His light.

Be in the light of Jesus.

Think in the light of Jesus.

Speak in the light of Jesus.

Live in the light of Jesus.