Written by Julie Cosgrove
Take today’s next step: Join The Life and you’ll be inspired with new ways to let your light shine as you make Him known.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Picture a large, white block shining in front of you. Just off-center, there’s a tiny dark spot. Off to the other side, you catch a glimpse of a glimmer. Which one captures your focus?
Our church is still in the growing stage. We rent facilities and use PowerPoint to display the words to the songs and hymns, the Scripture verses, and the prayers we say out loud. On the wall is a hole, or maybe it is a large black nail. Anyway, it is a black dot that is a bit larger than the PowerPoint period. It’s just enough to stand out and trip us up as our eyes scan the words.
After awhile we learn to ignore it, but each time the slide changes, there it is again: a black spot against a white background. It’s funny how our eyes tend to focus on the black instead of the white. We see the negative looming out from others, even if it is just a speck in their personality. Perhaps it keeps us from focusing on the large smudge in our own lives?
Picture your day yesterday as if it was displayed on the PowerPoint screen. What black dots in your life were distracting others from the message our Lord is illuminating through you? Did that one moment of irritation taint your attitude for the rest of the day? Is that what was reflected in your attitude? Or did people see the glimmer of His presence, as well?
As Jesus sermonized on the mount, He told the people, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Today, will people see Christ reflected through our words and actions?
Each day we attract people’s attention. It can be in either a positive or a negative manner. With every encounter, we can choose to display the black dot or we can allow the glow of His love in our souls to outshine our faults. For what we focus on in our personalities, others will see as well. That is why it is so very important to confess our sins, deal with our anger, and let go of our hurts each and every day before we step out into the world. Place them at the scarred feet of our Savior and let Him wash us as white as snow.
One slide our church always uses displays a graphic which, at first appears blank, and then shows the face of Jesus coming slowly into focus. When His face appears, the black spot disappears. May it be the same in our lives, O Lord. May it be the same.
Lord Jesus, may Your love, poured out in my heart through the presence of the Holy Spirit, lead me to shine Your light on those I meet each and every day. Let me not reflect negativity from the darkness that is all around me in this life; instead, let me fix my eyes on Your wonderful example of allowing love to conquer evil, so that I may be Your ambassador in my corner of the world. I ask these things in Your holy and mighty name, Lord Jesus, Amen.
Questions: What are you projecting to others? What do you allow to most powerfully affect your attitudes, words, and actions: the painful life-circumstances around you, or the presence of Christ in your heart?
Julie Cosgrove
Julie B Cosgrove is a Christian freelance writer and professional speaker. She has published three Bible studies, a devotional and a novel called Focused. Besides Power to Change, she regularly writes for several other devotional publications and sites. She belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers, North Texas Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, North Texas Christian Women's Chamber and Toastmasters. A widow, she lives in Fort Worth with her son and two cats. Visit her website www.juliebcosgrove.com and her blog Where Did You Find God Today.com
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