flashlights

so this weekend i finished my "study" for one of my classes- which was "Does sleep deprivation effect performance?". yeah so we had to stay up all night on friday and that has absolutely killed me with all focus and motivation. which is horrible because i have way more than enough to do! AH!
but this was something refreshing that was said in the youth service today:

We are to be salt and light to the world.

The verse i want to pick out is Matthew 5:16
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Tom Freitas, the youth pastor, used an illustration to go along with this particular verse. He had three flashlights up on stage. They all were all the same color, but the only seen difference was their sizes. He had a small, medium and a large one. All of them serve the same purpose- same function- to bring forth light, to bring light to the darkness- to find your way through the dark.

However, when he went to turn them on- you could definitely see the difference in the three.

The large flashlight was empty. There was no source of power-- the light was missing.
The medium flashlight had the power- but it was dead.
The small flashlight had the power and was working.

Now, each one of us relates to one of those flashlights.

The large one with no power- we don't have the evidence of Christ in our life- or we don't have Christ in our life. we try to fill that space with other things other than Christ- we fill it with the temporary pleasures of this world in stead of filling it with the only One who can satisfy- Our Savior. Therefore, there is no light to bring out- there is no light to shine before others- in the darkness you are lost.

The medium one has the source of power yet its dead. The purpose is there, the capability is there- all we have to do is change the batteries and amazing light will be brought forth. We are choosing casual Christianity. We blend in with the crowd and talk the talk but we do not walk the walk. We go to church but there is no evidence or difference in our everyday life. Christ has not penetrated us to live ultimately for Him. We choose not to use the source of power that is within us and when we try to share of the Lord Jesus Christ, we simply cannot because there is no light in our lives and there is no difference in us than the ones who do not have the power.

The small one has it. We got it. The source of power and using it. Practicing and obeying what the Lord has said and through a life style like that, we are shining brightly for the Lord. Everyone can see the difference in your life. It is evident when we are out with others, when we are alone, when we are trying to see through the darkness, when we are going through everyday life, when we are with the Lord- ALL THE TIME! we are a light bringing Glory to the Lord- and others will see that light and be drawn to it- and ask what is the source of your light and gives you the opportunity to share the love of Jesus.


So what flashlight are you?


How do you become the small flashlight? --- by how you live your life.


Don't live "churchianity" - live Christianity.


{embrace the journey}