Ever felt like you were so close to God, only to somehow fall off-course?
To somehow lose your in-step walk with the one who gives all peace, joy and love?
It’s easy to wonder how you got to this place. How you somehow diverted your path from his.
These thoughts plague me. I wonder, how can I avoid this next time, because
a judgement,
a critique,
a frustration,
an irritation,
an aggravation,
anger,
jealousy,
a circumstance,
a catastrophe,
my selfishness,
so often land me in a land miles away from my greatest love.
Like lost child, I lose my maker. It’s not that I don’t want to be with him, but something pulls me off-course: another grabs my attention, an emotion makes me run the other way or a circumstance takes hold. Before I know it, there I stand there – a missing child in a massive world trying to make my way back to my maker.
My once in-step, turned-in, reliant heart on Christ
becomes an out-of-step, out-of-focus, reliant heart on my problems.
I can see what’s around me, but I can’t see him.
I can see people, problems and the past, but I have blocked out his light.
I can see my feelings light as day, but I still feel buried deep in a distant hole.
Unchecked emotions have covered my heart.
And, one thing I am sure of is this: one covered with the unchecked emotions of shame, guilt and regret, can’t be shining the light of Christ’s resurrection, power and love.
One loaded under the weight of unrepented issues, can’t be radiating love and light through the earth.
So, I wonder, which do I have –
a heart covered by the weight of guilt
or a heart uncovered by the flashlight of Christ’s grace?
What God uncovers he uses for his glory. And what is hidden – is just that – hidden.
Hidden things stay covered.
Stay distanced.
Stay embarrassed.
Yet, God calls us “the salt of the earth.” Mt. 5:13
How can people taste salt if they can’t see it?
Instead of being salt-hiders,
we have another option, we can be salt-makers with God.
Do you see it?
Salt is produced by enduring pain, hardships and trials with Christ. As we move into deep intimacy with God, we move into knowledge of how to season other’s hearts. We start to flavor the world with the great testimony of his revealed power in our lives.
Salt is a God’s cleansing agent, and we are it’s salespeople. Let’s represent his holiness well.
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
Let’s shine bright to display his light!
We have a light that cannot be contained.
A city set on a hill.
It goes far and wide.
As a beacon of love.
That no one can miss.
That makes opponents flee.
That keeps your heart in safe places.
That endures until we come into his glorious light.
Don’t forget: You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14
It’s a beacon of love, a calling to all to come and know him.
Shine! Don’t remove your hand from his, don’t be pulled away from your Father, don’t get lost in the masses, don’t fall down in a pit, just keep revealing your heart to the light-shiner to let your life be transformed with the power of his always-exposed love.
He will never let you down, he will always chase after you the second you are lost. He loves you so much. He has chose you as his own. He is ready to shine so much goodness out of you, if only you will run your problems straight to his great flashlight of grace.
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The song, This Little Light of Mine was running through my head as I read your post. Hide it under a bushel, no, I’m gonna let it shine. Encouraging post.
Yes, it popped in my head too! I must have been thinking of it. Glad it came through.
oh, Kelly, how well I know this. In the midst of a family semi-crisis aftershock, my sensitive sister went off on me and instead of saying what I learned many years ago in counseling, Al-Anon and recovery groups, “I’m sorry you feel that way,”…I let loose back and an argument ensued. How pitiful is it that my daughter had to break it up? I carried a lot of guilt and shame over that…even though I wasn’t the one to start it, I “should have” been the one to end it. I “shouldn’t have” gotten into it with her. But emotions were high, stress was higher and exhaustion was highest. It happens. But we mustn’t stay there. We always get another chance to “sell the salt”. Thanks for this post, Kelly!
Oh no Mary, I am so sorry to hear about this family aftershock that took place. This sounds very hard. I praise God that his grace brings back our saltiness. The truth is we all fall. There is so much love and understanding poured out on you. Thank you for sharing this with me.
I’m your neighbor at #CoffeeForYourHeart! May the Lord continue to bless and annoint your words, Kelly. He’s given you an uncanny knack for words. Let’s be salt shakers for Jesus, as we share our story of what He’s done in our lives!
Fun Betsy! Excited about that. Let’s get our salt shakin’ on!
This – “One covered with the unchecked emotions of shame, guilt and regret, can’t be shining the light of Christ’s resurrection, power and love.” How true, Kelly. I know when I’ve been trapped in the darkness of shame, my light was hidden. As I opened up those places to Christ’s healing, and allowed His light to shine in those dark places, an amazing work of transformation has begun! So exciting to see His hand at work, and to be able to share His faithfulness with others. #ShineHisLight
Blessings and hugs,
Kamea
Thank you Kamea. Transformation is found in a wide open heart. I know you bring that wherever you go. I can’t wait to read your post.
Thanks, Kelly, for sharing your insights. I agree, we need first grace for ourselves- then we can shine for Christ. Blessings to you!
Thank you Mari-Anna for joining me today. Let’s shine for Jesus.
Kelly, I love the promise of God’s “always-exposed love” that uncovers my shame and allows me to shine for His glory because of an overflow of His love poured out on me. Thank you, my friend, for the reminder of His great love. : )