A little situation that occurred yesterday morning got me thinking. I was doing some volunteer work at our church, sitting with a co-worker and friend in a small room with overhead lights on, relying on electric calculators to complete our task. A cloudy sky was visible outside the window, but there was no wind or rain. Without warning, the lights went out, a computer began beeping its complaint about power loss, and the calculator I was using went dark, no longer displaying my running total. Thinking little about it, expecting power to return quickly, we continued working. As minutes passed, my mind went to how difficult it would be to finish without electricity. Enough daylight streamed in the window for us to see, but shadows made the work harder. Of more concern was my powerless calculator.
Most of the church staff was meeting in another area. No one knocked on either of our closed doors. Reaching a point where I could go no further without power, I decided to take a restroom break and see what was going on outside of our little room. Opening the door to what I presumed was a darkened hallway, I was met by bright lights and greeted by a gentleman who asked, “Did we turn the lights out on you? We’re replacing a switch and didn’t realize you were working in there.” Our power was quickly returned, enabling us to succeed in completing the job.
It had not occurred to either of us that our little space was the only area without electricity. We just tried to get by in the shadowy, powerless room. Until I opened the door and saw the lights.
This morning, as I was driving back to the church for Bible study, I had a light bulb moment, clarity given about how that instant when the electricity was turned on compares with the turning point in my life, the moment when I opened the door and let the Light of the World come in. Like everybody else, I was going along in a shadowy existence, enjoying some good times, but often feeling powerless to be the person I wanted to be, afraid that I didn’t quite measure up, captive to my emotions. From early childhood I had heard about God’s love and the goodness of Jesus. I tried to be good, too. Most people do.
Then one day, when a knock came on the door of my shadowy heart, I opened the door to Jesus.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:19-20
REPENTING OF MY SIN AND INVITING JESUS IN BROUGHT LIGHT AND POWER INTO MY LIFE.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 1 Peter 1:3
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
