To Radiate

Having a blog has been a great mixture of experiences for me.  It represents my testimony, study, prayer and my thoughts about where God is working in my life. For everything that you might see on the surface, there are so many other layers that run beneath.  I see how God is using it as a platform to change me, not just by what’s written but also by the process of having a blog.

Like a prayer journal, I write about what I read and where I struggle. It helps me to distinguish what’s him, what’s not, and how the pieces fit. I am learning to wait and by documenting the details in a journal form; it serves as a reminder that he is always with me. It reinforces my confidence in him, while sharing it publicly, changes my esteem.  I also notice that in ways I can’t connect, he’s changing my relationships and other things around me. Maybe it’s only my perspective that has become different. Regardless, there is a powerful change.

There are a lot of reasons that I probably shouldn’t put all of this out there so publicly. My grammar is the first and most obvious queue.  I am also terribly short on time and trying to get this together around a family and a job is a lot more work than it might seem.

Also, I do not have a deep background in doctrine and so I might post things incorrectly at times. In fact, I already have. Thankfully, most of those issues have a resolution and can be changed.  I also serve a God that promises to perfect his work in me in time (Psalm 138:8). …Seeing that makes me wonder why we ever fear anything else that is so temporary.

The Devil also knows all of my weakness though and how God is using this as such an incredible tool for me to be close to him and to change me. In so many ways, he (the Devil) tries to plant just as much death as God gives life. I can’t tell you how much I have struggled with whether or not I am even doing any good for the Kingdom when; if I am not talking about my flaws, I am presenting it in such a flawed way. 

This morning I am reminded of the verse in 2 Corinthians 4:7. It says “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” I’ve read that verse for the last two weeks writing something entirely different. Today it strikes me, Jars of clay. His treasure is inside each one of us. When I flip back to the chapter, it simply ministers to my soul. The verse just before that says:  “For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Don’t we try to cover up the brokenness in our lives? We pretend that we are perfect or a solid vessel. In doing so, we cover up his light; whether it’s in not being able to confess our sins to God, or in trying to keep a false appearance with others or in just being legalistic and working to be something better.

We are all broken… And at different phases in our life new cracks and blemishes may appear while others fade. His light is already inside of us and those cracks are opportunities to expose his light from different angles. There is heat and intensity that radiates through us and it then reaches others in a way that you and I could not do alone.

If I skip down to verse 12 it says that there is death and life at work in each of us.  There will always be something trying to snuff out our light.  If we allow that to be what moves us, we become swallowed up by darkness. No one may be able to see our weakness there but that protection is only bondage. Without his light, we are just vessels. We are never more beautiful or usable than we let his light shine from within, revealing all of our frailness.

When I let go and reveal who I am, God is able to work. He does it “THROUGH” us in a way that probably outshines any of our flaws. Allowing and admiring the light more than all that it might expose, is the life changing power of Glory! AMEN!

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Note to the reader: Not everyone needs to ‘blog’ but I do recommend a prayer journal. Just write letters to God or practice writing about your relationship in different ways. Also, I encourage you to read verses yourself and test what you hear or see. Definitely on this site but also with your preachers, friends, articles, etc.  There is nothing more accurate than the bible and nothing more authentic than your own relationship. The other methods are all just secondary.

Prayer: Thank you Father for your word. It IS always timely and personal and good. Open me up so much deeper so that YOU are the movement that is seen within me. Blind each of us with your Glory so that your power cannot be denied. Forgive us for the ways that we doubt the use of our brokenness. Forgive us for doubting that you are all powerful. You can do anything that you want to do when we simply hand over the pieces.  I am thankful that we do not have to have a blog or a process or a platform or even a phone or pen in order to have a relationship with you.  Prayer is available to each of us without other means. You desire to speak and we desire to hear.  Help us change the direction of our lives so that we are in the best position to listen and then be a witness to your glory.

To read more: Here’s the link to read the full chapter of today’s passage:  2 Corinthians 4. I also recommend reading the book of Galatians. Relax; it’s only a few chapters.