This Little Light Of Mine

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

I have been pondering for months now, pondering Christianity. Thinking on things that are high and looking to obtain wisdom from above. I have been walking with Christ for fourteen years now, trudging along on this narrow path. I have been burdened for months now, burdened for the Christian. You see, it seems to me that it has become so mainstream to call yourself a Christian. There are post all over facebook and in the social realm of "Christians." I keep thinking about my children. I want them to have an organic and real relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. I don't just want little "Christians." 

Unfortunately we are living in a time where people are calling evil good and good evil. If you follow the scripture and walk out your faith in complete abandon and obedience you are labeled misguided, legalistic, or strange. If you call sin, sin you are judgemental. As Christians we have a clear revelation from God in His holy word. We don't have to walk blindly wondering how we should live our lives. We walk by faith. 

This woman walked for miles to attend church in Haiti. The little girl below rode her bicycle with her bible on the handlebars.I sat in that church service. There were no lights, no power, complete darkness...except....except for a tiny light at the front of the church. I stood there recognizing the tune of the songs they were singing in creole. We Americans singing in English the Haitians in Creole. I was overwhelmed in the worship. I focused on that tiny light and how it dispelled the darkness. One small light reflecting on the faces, some brown, some black, and some white. All these faces around me lifting up the name of Jesus. Singing in one accord to the ONE true God, the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. Our voices melded together in praise. That night changed me. 

My mind is so consumed with the thought of the church and the Christian walk. What are we supposed to look like? Our deeds are to reflect our faith, but our deeds do not mean we are faithful. Let me explain. If we are truly in a love relationship with Jesus Christ our lives will look different. Our love for Him will compel us to do....faith in action. There is self imposed religion that is rampant in our society today that equates works with salvation, that is not what the bible says. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation, it is a gift straight from God. But the bible also says that faith without works is dead. We as Christians should know the word, know the giver of the word, and know what we are supposed to be doing. We are all called, we are all gifted, we are all equipped at salvation. I believe it is high time we stopped drinking the milk of the word of God and desired a great big steak. Be learners of the word so you know what is acceptable to the Lord. 

This cathedral was destroyed by the earthquake that shook Haiti in 2010. Beautiful, whitewashed stone,  an architectural masterpiece, shaken, fallen, broken, collapsed. Churches built with bricks and mortar, high ceilings, stained glass windows, carpet, and soft pews, that's not what God desires. He desires to take our hearts of stone, this temple of flesh, and make the church. We as a body of believers should be coming together, knitted together, serving, edifying, and discipling one another. We shouldn't be tearing one another down. "If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." Galatians 5:15 

The world IS watching, they are watching to see if what you say lines up with what you do. Are you loving like Christ? Look at the little naked boy. Are you feeding him? He's very hungry. That's his mommy holding his hand. Are you willing to help her? Those little boys holding hands, one white, one black. Are you racist? Do you think because someone has a different pigment in their skin they are less than you? Are you helping them? 

LOVE......it is what compelled God to send His only son Jesus. Jesus left glory, perfection, and came, lived, walked this earth, He showed us great compassion and mercy. He took up your sin and LOVED you! Love is an action, love is a Christian, love is the Church. Let's love like him today. Be a true reflection of His grace and mercy. Don't just call yourself a Christian act like one! Be a light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Shine God's perfect love into this dying world. People are getting so calloused to sin, we see it everyday. Abortion is right, having a large family is wrong, seeking worldly wisdom is good, seeking the wisdom of God is evil, homosexuality is okay, saying it's not isn't. Wake up oh man and woman of God! Light your candle and shine..........