Lights Shine Bright Everywhere We Go

Thanks, Toby Mac, for your great song: “Everywhere we go. Lights shine bright. Lights shine bright, everywhere we go.” It must be God's message to us because this is my second day in a row to emphasize how important it is to let our lights shine.

I remember that timeless Sunday School song that went: "This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine! Hide it under a bushel – NO! I’m gonna let it shine! All over the neighborhood – I’m gonna let it shine! Won’t let Satan blow it out – I’m gonna let it shine." It doesn’t take a news anchor to know that so many people in our world are living in darkness. That’s why letting our lights shine is so important. You and I might just be the LIGHTS that cause the darkness to flee -- not so much by what we say....but what we do in spite of our own circumstances. They're watching how we demonstrate God's love, peace and joy -- right in the middle of some of our darkest times.

The enemy uses daily circumstances and situations to try to douse our "light”. It may be a negative comment made to us or about us. It may be about all that TV and social media rancor. Or it is someone's bad mood or a surprising situation like a flat tire or a computer crashing (like mine on Friday) or a negative medical report or any other bad news coming our way. The "stuff of life" wields its water hose that is filled with doubt, worry, and negativity at us. What may have started out as a fun water shower from a friendly water hose that hits our flame, but it soon becomes a super water blast that douses out our fire of energy, joy and enthusiasm. With all the negativity that surrounds us, it's easy for our light to become nothing more than a little flicker.

The good news is, we have a choice to wring ourselves out from the onslaught of negativity that is coming our way. It takes a conscious effort to keep our "little lights" blazing! St. Paul reminds us, "You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8). That's what the darkness needs. It needs lights to penetrate it. In spite of our circumstances and the darkness around us, it needs lights that conquer every opposing force to continue shining God's light. We must keep in mind -- the more we hang out with THE LIGHT, the brighter our lights will shine.

People will be thinking "How can they be so peaceful, full of joy and hope when I know they're going through the stuff of life just like me?" Before long, they'll get it. They'll know it. And they'll want it, too! "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.

Seeing God in Everything

I was power walking with a spring in my step yesterday. That's when I heard this song on my playlist AFTER I posted a photo of the skies that were filled with, what I called “cotton candy” clouds. My post read: “For days God fills His skies with cotton candy – oh, it’s going to be a sweet, sweet day.” Right on God’s queue came Toby Mac’s song, “I see you in everything all day.”

It was a “Way to go, Donna!” from God. I just know it. He saw me recognizing Him in everything little thing, and I’d love to think, “all day”, but I need to work on that! And, I think He was telling me that, too! “Donna, don’t just see me on your walks, but see Me in everything – the beauty all around you AND even the not so beautiful things, but in My hands, they can become beautiful. EVERYTHING is in My hands to produce in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases Me!" (Philippians 2:13)

The truth is this. Every day we have the choice of looking for the good in everything or focusing our attention on all the negativity and bad that is out there. Let's be good-lookers! If you have the chance – listen to Toby’s song, “Everything” first thing in the morning – it will surely put some spring in your steps for the entire day, too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RIp_t3gKZw

"I see You in everything, all day
And every beat of my heart keeps reminding me
I see You in every little thing, all day
No matter where I go I know Your love is finding me
I see You in everything
You're all up in everything

I did a little research and found out where the inspiration came from for this song. Here’s what Toby said on Twitter and Instagram on July 25, 2018: “I was on my way to the studio one day to write this song, a song I had in my head but not really in my heart. So, on the drive, I said a really simple prayer. I said, ‘Daddy, if You want me to write a song other than this one, will You show me something?’ As I continued drivin’, my eyes began to open and I could hear Him saying, ‘Nah, Toby, I’m not gonna show you somethin’. I’m showing you everything.’ Isaiah 43:19 says, ‘I am doing a new thing in the land. It’s springing forth; do you perceive it?’ I walked in the studio that day with a fresh song to write. Yep, a new song in my heart. And I’m gonna fight to keep lookin’ for God in everything all day.”

So, there you go! No wonder Toby’s God spoke to him, like our one and the same God speaks to us. Instead of seeing the ugly and nasty around us – we just need to open our eyes to all the wonders of our wonder-working God! I’m so glad to be on THIS side of blessings! How about you?

"For by Him ALL THINGS were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him." Colossians 1:16

When Love Broke Through

It's June 1st and I had an upbeat blog ready to go for this day, but after watching way more video clips than I should have watched of unbelievable riots, theft, damages to property and civil unrest, I sensed God nudging me to "speak His mind" on His behalf today. So -- I yield to His voice.

The predominant character trait of God is LOVE, so, of course, that would be what I should blog about today. It's the oldest of old stories "For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Love broke through! And, as despicable was his death, I choose to believe that verse holds true for George Floyd. That he is with Jesus in Paradise. And, I choose to believe that verse holds true for his killers. That Jesus died even for them, and, hopefully, they, too, will join George in heaven one day.

Sounds pretty irrational, doesn't it? Oh, but the power of the greatest LOVER of all. Jesus broke through all the hate, anger, malice, rejection and even His own death. It's upside down thinking for sure, but look at how He told us to love in Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies! Bless them that curse you! Do good to them that hate you! PRAY for them who spitefully use you, and persecute you!” Doesn’t that sound preposterous? How could we possibly love someone that rejects, curses, hurts or even kills us or a family member or friend? How is it possible to love our enemies? And, even a step further, to “bless them and pray for them”? Can those words be possible?

Martin Luther King said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Jesus set the example for us. He had enemies – plenty of them. They lied about Him. They beat Him. They mocked Him. They killed Him. He loved them anyway. And if we believe in Him, it’s time to turn things “upside down” and “inside out”, and say to our enemies, “I love you. I would rather die than hate you.” May we put away our swords of embittered words and actions. May we take up our crosses of love and follow Jesus Who showed us how to live and love, and as He told us to pray for them, we pray this prayer for them now:

"Lord of love, we pray for You to bless our enemies. Open their ears to the Truth. Open their minds to understand the Gospel. Open their hearts to long for Your love. Draw them to Yourself Your Light is stronger than their darkness Bring them into the Light. Save them for all eternity. May Your love break through to them. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus."

Toby Mac sings it like this: "When love broke thru / You found me in the darkness / Wanderin' thru the desert / I was a hopeless fool / Now I'm hopelessly devoted / My chains are broken / And it all began with You / When love broke thru / And it all began with You / When love broke thru".

We can sing "What the world needs now is love sweet love" until we're blue in the face, but until we possess God's love in our hearts -- we will never measure up to what's needed for change in our world today. I'm praying for love to break through in our world. Will you join me in that prayer?