Beware the Shadows

I was noticing a simple concept while I was sitting in church the other day. How when light is shone darkness flees, but when objects are put in the way of the light it casts shadows; areas of gray-not completely dark, but not light either. It got me to thinking how as Christians many times even though we are filled with the light of Christ we let objects get in the way whether it be fame, fortune, friends, habits, possessions...you name it. Anything that gets in the way of Christ in our lives or replaces Him as first in our lives casts a shadow in our hearts. Then we are stuck with these gray areas that may not be bad in of themselves, but when they are taking the place of Christ they are blocking out the Light. It is only when we rid ourselves of these objects from the throne in our heart that only Christ should sit upon that we allow the full light of Jesus to shine within our hearts and out to the world, making the darkness flee.

The Lord instructs us in Matthew 5:16 to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." However, when we allow things to crowd our hearts and take the place of Christ-losing our first love for Him who is worthy- we are hiding our light...causing shadows to be cast. "

No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lamp stand, that those who come in may see the light."(Luke 11:33) Putting a lit lamp under a basket or in a secret place does not cause the light to go out. The light is still there, but it is harder to notice it because it is hidden. Shadows are caused to be cast, confusing the world of what a Christian really is. The world can not make out how we are any different than the dark when our light is hidden and shadows are being portrayed in our lives. It is when we set this light on the lamp stand for all to see, not allowing anything to get in the way, that we show the world what being a Christian is all about: giving glory to our Father in heaven.

So beware the objects that cast shadows in your life. Make sure to put Christ first and let your light shine unhindered in a dark world to preach the gospel to all. Whatever you do, beware the shadows for they are places of great caution and danger.

Happy Birthday America...

Yesterday we celebrated the birthday of our great nation America or what most of us know as the 4th of July or Independence Day. It made me ponder how independent as a nation we have become, but not from something horrible but from something good. We have started to become independent of God. Instead of relying on God who was the foundation for the founding of this country, people have become to rely and be dependent on themselves or the government. Problem is when we look to the government or inside ourselves for answers we end up with tangled messes because we can't do it right without God directing our steps.

I am reminded of a piece from a Casting Crowns song "United States of America looks like another silent night. As we're sung to sleep by philosophies that save the trees and kill the children. And while we're lying in the dark there's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky;for the Bridegroom has returned and has carried His bride away in the night. "

"America, what will we miss while we are sleeping? Will Jesus come again and leave us slumbering where we lay? America, will we go down in history as a nation with no room for its King? Will we be sleeping?"

Too long this nation has been sleeping. Instead of rising up and acknowledging our need for God to direct our country and our lives, we have been pushing Him away as much as possible. First we took Him out of schools as if you could deny the Creator of the Universe from going anywhere He pleased! Then we decided to take His commandments out of our court house. Time and again we have done everything in our power to get rid of Him, but who can cast off God? As if 9/11 wasn't enough of a wake up call for this country showing us how much we need Him. And how things fail and come crumbling down around us when we try doing it without Him. How sad...so yes, Happy Birthday America but oh how you should be grieving...