Light the Way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SarPJv6rUiQ&list=RDSarPJv6rUiQ&start_radio=1&t=0

Hallelujah (Light has Come) ~ BarlowGirl

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ~ Matthew 2:1-2 NIV

This morning, as I opened the binds to share the light of our Christmas tree with the gray morning, I remembered that many will keep their Christmas lights burning throughout the night. It's not to alert Santa that "We live here." The reason is a symbol of the season. From the glory of the Lord that shone in the fields to the shepherds to the star that led the way of the Magi, God has used light to draw into His presence those who have been walking in the darkness.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life," (John 8:12 NKJV). As Christ followers, we have His light in us. It's our responsibility to shine His light so that many—like the shepherds and the Magi—can hear the good news of great joy and find the Savior who is Christ the Lord.

Today, as you turn on your Christmas lights, remember, it's one more opportunity to light the way to the Savior who is Christ the Lord.

©Heather Potts 2019

Shine

https://youtu.be/d17hi1s6Tgg

Light Shine Bright ~ Toby Mac

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16 NIV

In Wisconsin, especially in the winter, people take notice when the sun shines. Even the girls have noticed how dark it is and think it’s still time for bed, instead of for school. And for the next week, the darkness may feel like it's growing, as we draw closer to the shortest "day" of the year.

I remember growing up, hearing people talk about "seasonal depression," which was attributed to the lack of sunlight in the winter months. But until coming back from Florida, the "sunshine state," I didn't realize how much not seeing the sun could affect you. The same is true about the light you carry inside of you: 

“...You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now…shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven," (Matthew 5:14-16 MSG).

As dark as winter is, I couldn't imagine living even the brightest season without Christ. Last winter, I noticed how much darker, colder, and longer winter felt about mid-January, because everyone had put away their Christmas lights. People who don't know Jesus, or who've lost sight of Him, walk around every day in darkness. They feel the cold of winter, but never the warmth of Christmas – the season of welcoming and experiencing Jesus. This year, don't let the generosity and love of Jesus stop shining in you, just because you put away the tree. Let God's light always shine brightly through you, for all to see. 

©Heather Potts 2018

Leaning Trees

…lean not on your own understanding ~ Proverbs 3:5 NIV

We received this amazing gift for Christmas: a Christmas tree.  Maybe it seems silly to you, but two years ago, when Savannah was 5 months old, our Christmas tree died.  Well, we assumed we’d just buy a new one the following Christmas.  But Brad had just barely started working that following Christmas, so we couldn’t afford one.  We did our best to decorate using our other decorations, but it just seemed empty without the tree.  This year, we really wanted a tree, but they were out of our budget.  At my Mom’s group, our leader asked if everyone was ready for Christmas and I just started to cry.  I told the other moms that we couldn’t afford a tree and I knew it was just material and no, that’s not what Christmas was all about, but it just didn’t feel like Christmas.  So my leader looked at me and said, “Then we’ll pray and ask God to send you a tree.”  I told her it was silly, but she insisted that we pray for God to send me a tree.  Later that day, my leader called me and said someone was getting rid of a Christmas tree & would I still like it.  I said yes and the next day she delivered a 7.5’ beautiful Christmas tree.  The tree is perfect, even as it leans. 

To some, my leaning tree may seem like an annoying defect, but I view it as beautiful.  Our pastor said something the other day that reminded me of my leaning tree.  He said that no one ever came to Christ by attending church, but by leaning in to God and the Holy Spirit, by leaning in as they saw others doing.  The NIV version of Proverbs 3:5 says we should not lean on what we know, perceive, or understand.  The AMP version tells us what we should lean on:  “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind…”  Just like my Christmas tree leans in order to stand, we need to be leaning trees: leaning on the insight of the Holy Spirit so that we will be able to stand.

Father, thank you for Christmas trees, for beautiful decorations that remind us of Your light and beauty.  Lord, I pray that we would be leaning trees, leaning in to Your Spirit to hear all that You have to say to us.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2014