Being Different

Butterflies and sunshine … imagine blue sky stained with airbrushed clouds, lightly wafting wind, sparkles of light flecking ripples of waves as they dash toward shore, green lush carpets of grass, sun glinting off softly rustling leaves.  Imagine … Remember. Painted memory pictures of kind words spoken, received, heard and returned over and over. There is plenty wrong with the world; but there is plenty right. We make it right by being the difference; being the light in a dark world.  For many years I’ve had a tagline attached to my online profile. It’s been there so long, it’s become invisible but still true. “I can’t change the world, but I can make a difference one attitude at a time.” Maybe you’re like me and you believe what God says in 1Peter 2:9 “You are … God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
In this dark world, what are the possibilities that you hold the candle illuminating your tiny space? Remember that when the space is darkest, that’s when the tiniest light burns the brightest. I wonder sometimes about the way God separated darkness from the light and how they are distinct from each other in the physical realm and the spiritual. Matthew 5:16 has a call to action “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Is there a way, today, that you can let your light shine?
The painted memories of how so many have drowned me in kindness resonates still today and I know there are healing properties in those precious acts.  I know my primary source of healing is God. Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I get that, but there are paths in and out of our lives tread by compassionate, caring people who daily have come along side of me and been the source of light. I’ve learned that what God said in Deuteronomy 31:6 applies today “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Sometimes God visits us in the form of friends. Maybe today, God wants you to be that friend to someone. It can be frightening to be the one who reaches out. Could  Philippians 4:13 be written for you? “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” I know it has been penned on my heart since I gave my life to Christ at age 26. I can do what God asks me to do – and while I don’t always do those things, God’s promise is authentic. There are no political [futile] promises in God’s Word.
When we allow God to permeate every ventricle, every thought, and every plan – and be our first thought, not our last resort, we can be sure of this.  Isaiah 55:12 “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
No, we don’t have butterflies and sunshine all year; neither do we have storms and darkness every day. But we have John 8:12 “Jesus spoke to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
What can we do today, to be the light in someone’s world.  Start with one – your candle lights up your space; connect with someone to light their candle, and we have the light for life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSpmnaGrDOw

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