Lights: On! (Prayer Devotional for the week of October 19, 2014)

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Four mornings a week, I drive my 8th grader to school at 6:45am for Jazz Band practice. I don’t really mind; it offers us some rare one-on-one time together in the car, and it holds me accountable to get up on time in the mornings. What I do mind are fellow drivers who think that just because sunlight is barely peeking over the horizon, they don’t need to use their headlights.

I believe the technical rule is that you must use headlights from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, so perhaps these dim drivers (pun intended) are legal, but they certainly aren’t safe. The thing is: they might think they can see oncoming cars without their own headlights on, but we can’t see them. Using headlights during those “iffy” times of day are for the benefit of others, if for no other reason.

Hmm … kinda sounds like the light we Christians are supposed to be shining in the world, eh? There are aspects of our faith-walks that are intimate, private times between the Lord and us as individual believers: personal prayer and Bible reading are examples that come to mind. Yet, our lives should also illuminate the world around us. In a very real sense, our bright presence should direct others to Christ.

In 1 Timothy 4:15-16, Paul advises his mentee to set a positive example for those around him, because they are watching. “Remember these things and think about them, so everyone can see how well you are doing. Be careful about the way you live and about what you teach. Keep on doing this, and you will save not only yourself, but the people who hear you” (CEV).

And in Luke 11:36, Jesus explained to a crowd, “If you have light, and nothing is dark, then light will be everywhere, as when a lamp shines brightly on you” (CEV). Don’t drive through life relying on the light of others. Reflect the light of Christ!

Keep Building (Prayer Devotional for the week of October 12, 2014)

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One of the most frustrating aspects of moving to a new house is not being able to find things that you could’ve sworn you used to own. A couple of weeks ago, the shower handle broke off into my hand when I tried to turn off the water. I didn’t panic, because I’m a fairly clever gal, and I knew that I had basic tools to tinker with and try to fix it.

 

For starters, I needed a medium size Phillips-head screwdriver, a wrench, and pliers. What did I find in my freshly unpacked toolbox? One gigantic screwdriver and one small enough to repair eyeglasses. I couldn’t find a crescent wrench to save my life, and the only pliers I saw turned out to be wire cutters. I don’t know how most of my tools managed to not get packed, but I had to make a trip to the hardware store, stat.

 

Speaking of tools, Nehemiah knew a thing or two about moving, building, and new beginnings. He sought the favor of King Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the city’s war-torn walls. Section by section, he and countless individuals worked together to repair the gates and walls of the city. In Nehemiah 4:14, he encouraged his helpers to not fear those who opposed the rebuilding effort. He said, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

 

Maybe you haven’t physically relocated to another house, but perhaps life has thrown some obstacles in your path that feel like one rerouted detour after another. Don’t fear. Remember the Lord, who is GREAT and AWESOME! Equip yourself with spiritual tools like the ones described in Ephesians 6. Don’t listen to the detractors who try to tear you down; keep building!