This week my team was honored to be able to work alongside Heart of Christ with Gracie and Lee Murphree. What a beautiful heart they have and what great strength resides in her to continue the mission the Lord has given her to do. Gracie and Lee run a home for young women who are victims of rape and incest, along with taking on a few girls with special needs.
One night, me and Ara, decided to have a chat on the roof at night. Needless to say that it was pitch black already, besides the faces of the stars that gently joined us in communication as they spoke loudly with their glimmer of light. As Ara and I continue to talk, all of the lights shut off – the power has gone out. The first thing that rushes through my mind is how are we getting down from this roof. The ladder is scary enough during the day. Immediately I want to panic; however, I decided to just continuing to talk and when the power comes on we will walk down. Ten minutes have come and gone and now let’s make it 20. Twenty minutes, going on 30, all of the sudden the pitch black is blessed with lights. Sitting on the roof it was such a sweet image. We were above most things around us and in that were able to see every light that was on shine brightly amongst the darkness. Not only was I leaping with joy and thankfulness in my heart for what just happened, but out of the mouths of everyone in the surrounding neighborhood began shouting, praising, and rejoicing, partnered with clapping, whistling and sounds of celebration. It was in that moment that the Lord revealed to me the hunger for light in a world full of darkness.
I was reminded that creation longs and groans for the revealing of the sons and daughters of Christ.
I was reminded that the world is a dark place and is craving and desiring for the light of the world to be revealed.
As the church, we are called to be the light. We aren’t called to run from darkness and find the quickest way down the ladder to safety, rather we are called to shine in the midst of darkness.
What a difference the light made when it came back on to shine and expose the darkness. Not only in the atmosphere, but the joy it brought to the people.
The world without light would be a very rough place. I can remember looking at Ara not even able to see her face less than two feet away from me. I couldn’t see anything. It was seriously pitch black. My sight was lost.
It’s not any different in the spiritual sense of things. People’s lives, hope, joy, can be directly dependent upon our ability to shine. People will inevitable impacted by the light you shed everywhere you go. Without the church shining and leading the way, we have a world full of lost and broken people.
When the lights did finally come back on, not every house around us lit up. But I can only imagine if they had, how much brighter it would’ve been. I want you to realize that you have a light if you are a believer. Whether you choose to shine that light is totally up to you, but what a difference it makes if you do. The brightness of the picture of this world would be tremendously different if even one person chose to shine their light. The importance of your light is greater than you can ever imagine.
Where the light shines, darkness is no more. What a great opportunity we have in Christ to be apart of. I pray that you are encouraged and challenged to shine wherever you go, for your light is the exposure of darkness and leads others to the way in a lost and broken world.
As we shine our light together, may lives be changed and hearts rejoice as their longing has been fulfilled, freedom has come, hope has been restored, hearts have been renewed, chains have been broken, healing has been granted, forgiveness has reigned, and love has been deemed unconditional. May the hearts of people celebrate as the lights of this world choose to shine on a daily basis.
Shine away, let it shine.
