When The “Real” Light Turns On
It sure is great when the light about some truth comes on and we actually “get it.” For believers it is very important to do just that “get it.” If you were raised in a Christian home and attended a church in America you probably experienced not being able to see the “forest for the trees syndrome.” You grew up hearing about God and reading God’s Word, but you were more religious than relationship oriented and the realization of just who Jesus was and is escaped you somewhere along the line. I was a youth pastor for over 25 years and those years were filled with Christian youth experiencing the light coming on and the excitement that ensued was an awesome experience for them….and for me. It was so exciting to see them really being able to understand that their Savior was the Son of God, The Christ. When that happened it awakened a burning spirit within them that revolutionized their lives and their direction. God wasn’t just another part of growing up as a person. He was their total direction and their love for Him was real, impacting, and life-changing.
I loved my years in youth ministry and I got the privilege of seeing many youth surrender to the call of God on their lives. All I did was make the connection between them and the Living God and He did the rest. I am so thankful to have been a part of being a conduit for them “getting it.” I never ever believed them following God with all their hearts would put them on a dead end path and God has been faithful. He has soared tremendously in so many of their lives and I get correspondence from many of them thanking me for the impact I had on their lives, when in reality I was just the one who got them focused on God, His Word, and His direction and God did the rest. As I look back on those days I truly grew spiritually by seeing what God was doing in their lives and He grew me into someone who desired the same thing I was seeing in their lives.
What happens when the light comes on? A desire to grow in your faith envelopes your very being and your thinking and your direction meter turns to God like a magnet. That pull affects decisions you make about jobs, mate choice, home location, and lifestyle choices. The light doesn’t just come on though. It begins to guide those following it through the darkness of the world we live in and shine as one who is living in the glow of the kingdom of heaven. We begin binding things here on earth that resemble things bound in heaven and we resemble someone who is heaven minded and that is because we are exactly that way. In verse 19 Jesus says to Peter (who just had his light turned on ) 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” God is faithful to infuse us with life-changing truth that compels us to seek Him more. Part of that infusion is prompted by our desire to “know more.” We want to know more when we realize that all of this is really true and God does have a great plan for me as an individual and His plan is the best course for me to travel. Look at what God said to Daniel in Daniel 10:10-12 10 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. God does respond when we seek Him out and Daniel had been through the tough times of struggles and pressure put on him to know what God was saying for the king he was serving. God turned the light on in a big way for Daniel and that upright desire Daniel had to follow God and know God was rewarded with more wisdom and insight. God strengthened Daniel at that time so he could go on learning and discovering more about God and His plans.
So what is the reward of the light coming on in our life? God told Daniel in 12:3-4 3 Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” The Lord told Daniel that those who follow God and His ways will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven. Those who lead others to the Lord will even shine like stars. You cannot get much brighter than that when it comes to shining. I hope I do, and will shine like a star for leading others to the life of righteousness. Those who follow the word of God will be like the expanse of heaven and their lights will be like heaven on earth because God has revealed himself to them personally through Jesus Christ. Jesus said in verse 18 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. This is the church and it is built on a solid rock faith that will not ever fail and that solid rock faith will prevail though others may fall away. If you are a member of that remnant then stand strong and be creative and “out of the box” thinkers because God has given you a special blessing of carrying on the work of faith that was first established when the light came on for Peter where he said, “16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This moment was huge for Peter and HUGE for each of us who hold to the teachings of God’s Word and not the teachings of human reasoning. It is time to step out in that promised faith and proclaim the gospel that Jesus paid so much to give to us. Don’t reject the light. Let it turn on in your life and then let it shine.
The Pilgrimage continues…..
David Warren