Leave Your Light On!
The lights are on, but nobody’s home! I have heard that statement many times throughout the years. That statement was made as a joke, usually about me, by various people in my life; family, friends, church family, etc. And they always laughed. But I did not.
We are often made fun of because of our looks, our actions, our beliefs, and many other things that others do not understand. It is called persecution. And as a Christ follower, we endure it even harder at times. The outside world tries to put our light out, whether physically, mentally emotionally, or spiritually. But we are told that our light should shine for everyone to see!
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden… let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. ~Matthew 5:14, 16(b) NLT (emphasis added)
Many times we think we have to stand and fight, when all we really have to do is just stand and shine. I used to think I had to have a snappy comeback for every person who attacked me. Whether it was an insult, a nasty joke, or just an outright attack, I would usually feel the burn from my head to my toes and end up lashing out. That’s about the time that my attacker would begin laughing sarcastically in my face. And I could literally see in their eyes the crazed, lunatic-like enjoyment that they were getting knowing that I just messed up.
All that mattered to them now was that I made a mistake. They saw my light and quickly tried to extinguish it. And I allowed them to cause it to dim. But now, I have learned to stand.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, andhaving done all, to stand. ~Ephesians 6:13 NKKJ (emphasis added)
My lights are always on. Yet I don’t always answer the door! I let Faith go instead. I have learned that I don’t have to fight like I used to. I never had to. In the past though, because of the constant intimidation and manipulation, I was always on the defensive. But when God healed me, He replaced the intimidation and oppression with peace and a confidence so strong that, when faced with those who thought they could still intimidate me, I stayed calm and just looked at them!
The enemy saw my lights on. He sent intimidation to knock at my door, but I didn’t answer. And my would-be intimidator was at a loss for words or actions. This is what happens when we use the Word of God to stand on instead of the standards of the world.
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ~James 4:7 NLT (emphasis added)
Don’t be intimidated when trials comes knocking. They will definitely come. But how we handle them will mean the difference between letting our light shine, or causing it to dim. Be strong in the Lord, leave your lights on, stand… and let Faith answer the door!
