"Stop waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel and start lighting up the tunnel."-Unknown
This quote was shared with me from an unknown author recently and I have saved it. In a year where we all faced unexpected challenges and blessings, I needed these words to guide me as I entered into this new year.
They brought deeper meaning as they reminded me of Jesus' message to us in Matthew 5:14-16,
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."
As we navigate these first days of the new year I would invite you to bring out the God-colors and light things up... the tunnels, the valleys, the uncharted waters... where can you be generous with your life today?
I have begun re-reading a devotional from Annie F. Downs, 100 Days to Brave, and I opened to these words last night.
"God made you once. You were worth the work that first time. God threw away that mold because one of you is enough for him. You're enough. You are the sacred painting, the original. God made us this way on purpose. It's no mistake that we are formed the way we are. But why? Why did God make humans in the first place? Look at Isaiah 43:7, 'Everyone who is called by my name whom I created for my glory whom I formed and made.' God created us for his glory. The word create in the original Hebrew is bara. When this particular word was used God is the only subject, God does all the work only God can create in this particular way so when God made you God did something that only God can do and did that for God's glory. If we are each as unique as the Bible says we are then our calls to courage are equally unique. The painting of your life is a masterpiece that will never be replicated, and there's a brave brush to use in this painting that will change everything for God's glory and for your good."
I don't always feel confident in my artistic abilities or gifts, but I continue to learn to be brave in opening myself up to God doing beautiful work in the world in and through you and me. Let's light up 2021!
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