The Light of the World

You may very well know about the sisters Mary and Martha from the gospel of Luke.  Jesus drops by their house for a visit, and Martha is making sure everything is "just so" while Mary has the audacity to pull up a seat on the floor beside Jesus.  Martha tells Jesus to make Mary help, but he instead invites Martha to join them.  "Martha, Martha," he says to her. "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Only one thing. Pulling up a seat at the feet of the Savior.  And instead I yell to him from the kitchen. So many days, that's my story. If I acknowledge him at all.

I've been studying this book with a group of women from my church, and it has been a blessing. I have found it to be somewhat basic in its truths, but I must be honest. The basics of the Christian life, namely heart to heart conversation with the Lord and focused study of His Word, are where I am most prone to failure. Without these, I am motivated for my life's activities by duty and a sense of responsibility, along with a big dose of whatever suits me best at the moment.  It's the time of conscious awareness of God's presence that changes everything, for when I gaze on Him I am much more frequently motivated by love and gratitude.

One of my favorite sections of the book is a quote from a booklet I first read in high school: "My Heart Christ's Home", by Robert Boyd Munger.  

"Without question one of the most remarkable Christian doctrines is that Jesus Christ Himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit will actually enter a heart, settle down and be at home there," Munger says. "Jesus came into the darkness of my heart and turned on the light. He built a fire in the cold hearth and banished the chill.  He started music where there had been stillness and He filled the emptiness with His own loving, wonderful fellowship."

Do you see how many senses Munger uses when he describes the impact of the presence of Christ in our hearts? Sight. Touch. Hearing. It made me realize that I need to use my senses as I spend time with him.  

So I did something about it. I pulled a candle out of the cupboard and began lighting it as I meet with Him. I placed it where I can see its light, feel its warmth, and smell its aroma as I read, study and pray. It reminds me He is here. He is the Almighty one who calls me friend, who stands ready and able to tackle the day's tasks and concerns as I walk beside Him.  

When it's time to blow the candle out, I pray that I'd remember that He is with me all day long. And I ask Him to shine through me.

Jesus is the Light of the World.

Jesus wants US to be His light to the world.