Luke and the Lost
The kitchen is probably where the most traffic happens. It is my personal work area for all kinds of meals. For many years, there were dark places in two corners and over the kitchen sink that had little to no light coming to them. The light was behind me, but not in front of me where I did the most work to prepare meals. Clean up was harder, because of those dark places, too.
Randy fixed that but hiring someone to install a bank of lights as a Christmas present for me! Now I have light shining in all the corners with light shining down right on top so I can see what I am doing more clearly. However, this new illumination now shows up the dirt that was missed in the dark. So that got cleaned first!
Mm, that’s what happens when we allow God to shine through us, in us and all around us. We even eventually see the dark corners of our lives. We see stuff that needs to be cleansed, rearranged and made new.
“Keep your eyes open, says Jesus, your lamp burning, so you don’t get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.”
Here’s the whole story…
Luke 11, The Message
Keep Your Eyes Open
29-30 As the crowd swelled, he took a fresh tack: “The mood of this age is all wrong. Everybody’s looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you’re looking for is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. But the only proof you’re going to get is the Jonah-proof given to the Ninevites, which looks like no proof at all. What Jonah was to Nineveh, the Son of Man is to this age.
32,31 “On Judgment Day the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that condemns this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’
33-36 “No one lights a lamp, then hides it in a drawer. It’s put on a lamp stand so those entering the room have light to see where they’re going. Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don’t get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.”
Dear Lord,
Shine Jesus shine in our hearts, minds and souls. Light up all the dark places. Cleanse us. Make us new and alive in your love because of your mercy and grace. May your light in us be so bright others are drawn to You, too. No more stumbling in the dark. Continue to be with us…
In Jesus name, Amen
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see…
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 