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Listen while you read: "Can A Little Child Like Me"1
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Years ago, I was given an oil painting that depicts a lighthouse. It is something that I treasure, and I hung it in a conspicuous place next to the back door, as it reminds me that the Scriptures are like a lighthouse to guide our lives and that God calls us to be lighthouses in this world for Him, not hiding our light under a bushel, but letting it shine forth for all to see. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Recently, I had a small room added onto my home. In the process, I had the original back door, which now became the door to the new room, cut in half to make a Dutch door. The top of the Dutch door swings very neatly back against the wall of the room adjoining the addition. And what was behind that door? My lighthouse picture!
At first, I thought that it would work out, as when the top of the door was closed, the painting was visible. However, after a few weeks, I realized that the top part of the door was almost never closed. Therefore, the painting was hidden from view the majority of the time. I thus decided that it was time to make a move. The lighthouse painting was moved out from behind the door and is once again in a conspicuous place for all to view and enjoy.
Likewise, as God's lighthouses in this world, sometimes we, too, need to assess our situation and be ready to make a move: a move in the way that we think or act.
Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
The purpose of a lighthouse is to allow others to see clearly where they are going, so that they may not run into danger, be hurt, or even perish.
But, as God's lights here on earth, if we are not constantly praying and striving for a renewal of our minds and of the way that we think, we can very easily find our light hidden behind the door or the patterns of this world.
Those patterns demand us to be politically correct, to keep our mouths shut about our faith and the truths that it is based upon, to go along with the flow, and not to make waves about issues that compromise our morality or God's truth. When we fall into the world's patterns, often out of fear or not spending enough time in prayer discerning God's good and perfect will within a given situation, our light becomes hidden. A door of darkness closes over our witness for Christ.
Being different and being a light in the darkness is not always easy or comfortable. Sometimes, it has consequences that we don't like or want. We may lose friends or jobs or even end up having to move. Yet, when we do move out from behind the patterns of this world into the renewal of a mind that is moving according to God's will, we discover an even greater light: the light of God's pleasure, purpose, and protection that opens up new and better ways, more than we could ever imagine for our life and for the lives of others.
Prayer: Father, thank You that through the power of Your Spirit, we can be renewing our minds daily that they may line up with Your good and perfect will. Remind us, as we need it, to move in this direction, so that we may not conform to the patterns of this world but shine brightly for You amidst the darkness. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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A beautiful truth to stand bold Lynne. Blessings for standing true.
A great message for Thanksgiving Sunday, thanks, and blessings Lynne.
Thank you, Lynne, for this needed encouragement to be a shining light for others.
Thanks Lynne, again your devotional makes a bright start to my day, as the lighthouse is a bright beacon to all. Blessings.
This morning, when I arose, the moon, a dark red ball because of pollution, was setting behind Pt Atkinson lighthouse!
Thanks for your reminder of daily reorientation!
Thanks, Lynne
Probably most of us need that motivation to “let our lights shine.” You have inspired us again.
Hope you are having a HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND.
Wonderful devotion Lynne; thank you.
Have a blessed Sabbath day, and may your light continue to shine the Good News into this world.
Shalom.
Well, Lynne, When I read the first paragraph of today’s devotional and before I looked at the author, I said to myself, “Lynne wrote this devotional.”
You have done your usual good job of writing.
Thank you once more.
We’ll said. Right now we are in that position. Being part of the PCC covers our light in political correctness and we would miss the many solid Christian friends we’ve made over the years if we leave. Many would also like to leave together but are afraid of the financial burden … seem tied to the building. This congregation has also sent out many solid Christian pastors over the years who are too young to retire and are caught in denominations that prefer to follow the world rather than God’s way. It’s a time of testing… I think.
I’m glad you have your reminder to shine visible again. Way back when I was still teaching Sunday school, we had a craft where the kids painted a sun on a switch cover and wrote Jesus shines. Maybe we could start something like that at church again.
Peace be with you!
Thanks, Lynne.
Always a great message!
Thank you, Lynne, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us!
Blessings.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you so much for this timely and gentle compelling devotional.
Blessings.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you for another of your special and very informative devotionals. Yes, following the path the Lord lays out for us and being attentive to His word surely gives us a bright light free from darkness. Our Lord truly watches our every move and is ever there to help us when we make the wrong move and restore us to a better place in this world. Blessings for these special writings you do.
Lynne, you’ve done it again! What a shame we can’t know each other in person as we seem to be in the same lane so often. I’m sitting in my big comfy permanent chair My daughter is an incredible painter and I sit here looking straight ahead at a beautiful painting of a lighthouse hillside overlooking a river in Oregon. It’s on the dark side with dark and colored streaks across the sky!!! Looking around the room I see one made by an artistic wood maker here in town, an incredible 3 cluster made by my son-in-law who is a wood artist. My daughter did the painting and the foot tall main lighthouse she did the roof with pennies.
God bless you as you share His Word with your stories. And a late HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Hello Lynne
Thank you for another good one! So true isn’t, the world is in darkness and we have to pray that our light shines for others to help them.
God bless you and have a great week.