A sermon I was able to preach recently, connecting to 2 Timothy 3…
Growing in the Word
Tag: Christian
This little light of ours…
The sun is big. Like, really big. Bigger than most of us can even fathom, given how huge our own planet seems.
For a quick example, the circumference of the sun (how far one continuous path would be around its surface) is over 2.7 Million miles. In perspective, the circumference of the earth is just under 25,000 miles.
In regards to the massive size, people who sit around figuring out such things have determined that it would take about 1.3 Million earths to fill the area of the sun.
All of this really makes the moon pale in comparison. At a mere circumference under 6,800 miles, it’s pretty small in comparison even to earth. Yet, on August 21, 2017, the moon will cover the sun for about 3 minutes (in the center of the viewing areas path), casting millions of people into freakish mid-day darkness. This happens even with the size differences, because of proximity. The moon is 400 times further from the sun, than it is from the earth. It’s the same as being able to hold a background national monument in your hand, using proximity to make it look real. 
So how do we harness this occasion, to listen to what Gods’ creation might be whispering into our lives? What important message might this offer, especially in conversation with our kids/others?
Some small things can bring large amounts of darkness. Especially in regards to our consumption and/or creation of content in social media. Something that may seem tiny or insignificant, can actually make a larger impact than we first realized. Whether it’s movies, music, Apps, or other; we can easily inadvertently place these things in such a position in our lives that makes it very difficult for the light of Gods Love to shine on, or through us.
Thankfully, scripture reminds us: nothing has the power to separate us from the Love of God. But, we can choose to elevate other things into our field of vision, forgetting where our True Life comes from. This causes all sorts of expressing ourselves in the world – seeking the identity and peace that we’ve been created to receive from the Love of Jesus.
The question becomes – What might be “eclipsing” the Light & Love of Jesus from being the foundational light by which you see all things, yourself included? What small thing, if moved out of your focus even a small amount, or completely if necessary, could allow Love & the perspective of Gods Grace to illuminate your life in new ways? The Love of God for you is strong and deep enough, no matter how long you’ve lived under an eclipse, to shine just as warm and brightly as ever. You might find yourself needing help to “move a moon” that has been in position for way too long. God has given us the power of His Spirit, always with us. Not to mention, the gift of living these lives together in Loving community. Open yourself up to committed life together with others who desire the Light of New Creation to shine.
The beauty of it is, even as a small object like the moon can eclipse the light of the sun – a small candle can illuminate darkness. How will you shine your light this week? Where can the Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control be humbly lived out as the Fruit of His Spirit? May we be even more geeked out about discovering these opportunities. They are light that will shine well into the coming Kingdom from which they derive their lumens…
Pentecost (a poem)
Dry.
Coughing as I breathe in, chest wheezing, this dusty cloud kicks up when I walk.
When I talk, words fall to the ground without sound.
Cracks invading the pavement, waiting for someone tall to step wrong and fall. Someone saw rain in the distance, just one instance, but that was years ago.
For now, nothing grows. And so, nothing sows. The last leaves turned to ash. Out of resource, out of cash. It happened so fast, before we realized we were empty. The wind blows over another dried up, used to be, has been but isn’t now.
For a split second, seems to bow on purpose, then falls.
Smashing into a million pieces in these parched halls. The air so dry it’s impossible to sweat – impossible to shed a tear, for fear of losing the last drops of moisture we assume are somewhere deep inside. We’ve tried to hide. We’ve lied to hide. Cause when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Or so we’ve heard. Not another word. After all, we’ll get by. We just need to try. Try harder. To really mean it this time.
Sunlight breaks, the cushion shakes and reveals the dust we’ve been breathing. Our lungs as thirsty as our throats, debris forming coats. A trembling unsettles our dust. Frightened, but we must, respond.
The room is shaking, the ground quaking, the clouds fill the sky and darken brightly.
Not a drip. Not a trickle or a stream. But all in one moment it happens.
Dams break, waves overtake, water makes and snakes its’ way, soaking the day, washing away any traces of ash and dust. Respond we must, gasping for air and at the same time sinking without a care.
The pipes have burst, rushing like floods from somewhere unseen. More like a geyser, like the spring from which all springs are sprung – filling our lungs and drowning out all remnants of thirst.
To a land that was cursed – healing and life, New Life. A Spirit poured out, and all creation shouts “Great is the Lamb that was slain!” “Great is His Name!” The Spirit that came, as God promised it would.
See His blood on the wood…
We receive and are never the same.
Isaiah 44:3
words from wick 