The Lights are Off
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 16 KJV)
My sister gave me a small Christmas tree several years ago. I have already set
it up on the table beside my recliner in the living room. The tree is decorated
but there is no light coming from it because the lights are off. I did turn the
lights on for a few minutes and what a difference it made in the room. It not
only showed the beauty of the tree but it also illuminated the room.
The same is true with us. If we have accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour, He
has illuminated our hearts with His beauty, His peace, His joy, and His
unconditional love and happiness. However, all too often, we put out His light
in our hearts because we allow unforgiveness, jealousy, resentment, hatred and
criticism to remain in our hearts.
His beauty and His light can’t shine from our hearts when we harbor these rotten
attitudes in our hearts. Not only do we extinguish His light and beauty in our
hearts but our rotten attitudes also stink in His nostrils. It is time that we
start forgiving those who have hurt us. Remember, we hurt people too. There was
only one perfect person who ever lived or ever will live and His name is Jesus!
Is the light of Jesus off or on in your heart? Have you allowed your rotten
attitudes to extinguish His light in your heart? If so, ask God to forgive you
for extinguishing the light of Jesus and ask Him to please restore the light of
Jesus in your heart. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Jesus who not only is the
light of the world but also the light of our hearts.
Joanne Lowe
November 25, 2009