Last Sunday morning I was in the presence of the Holy Spirit. We sang, “Let The Light In” by Cody Carnes. “It's time for the sleeper to wake. It's time for the old winds to change. I hear the Spirit say it's time. It's time for the dead man to rise. It's time for the Great Light to shine. I hear the Spirit say it's time. Fling wide you heavenly gates. Let the King of glory in...Open up the windows, let the light in. Open up the windows, let the light in!” As we sang, “let the light in,” over and over, you could feel the Holy Spirit stronger and stronger! Before my pastor started to preach he said that preachers pray for the music to bring us to the throne of God and that is exactly what happened! I was at the throne of God!
After a lot of dark, dreary and rainy days, we needed light! Saturday was a beautiful warm day with so much sunshine! I could feel my spirits lifting being out on the water and soaking up the sun! And Sunday morning was even better! I could feel my spirits being lifted by the Holy Spirit as I soaked up the Son! I cannot imagine not having such wonderful worship each week, whether in person or online. Without it, I cannot imagine getting through this time or this world!
Sunday afternoon I thought I am like a solar panel. A solar panel collects solar radiation from sunlight and converts the energy to electricity to be used. As the sun shines, radiation is collected, converted and stored for use. If there are prolonged days without sun, the panels are not able to produce energy because they do not have access to the source. Isn’t that how it is with God? Just like those dreary days, we need Light, God’s Light! And we have to keep a supply of His Light so we can make it through the dark days. We were never meant to go through this life alone! God intends for us to constantly be renewed by His Light!
Our sermon was about not being complacent. We cannot get comfortable with where we are in our relationship with God. Even if we are at a good place, we need to be at a great place! I believe the reason our worship is so powerful is because our message never changes! We keep the main thing, the main thing! And that is preaching the Gospel! The pandemic may make churches change their methods but it will not change our message! We must keep focused on making disciples of Jesus Christ. How do we persevere and overcome these tough times? We acknowledge our blessings. Revelations 2: 9, “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!” We do not live in fear. Revelations 2: 10, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.” And be faithful unto death. Revelation 2: 10, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”
We must stay connected to God so we can produce Light. Once we accept His gift of salvation, we become Light reflectors. His Light converts us and stores in us for His use. God wants us to Light up the world so others will be transformed. Matthew 5: 14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and watching God’s faithfulness, we learn how to store up His Light for the dark days. And he uses that Light to reflect on others, no matter our circumstances. You can bless someone else while going through your own storm. Your light can shine bright enough to let others see their way out of the darkness! Open up your windows and let the light in! It looks like we are going to have a week of sun! Soak it up!
I will leave you with this quote I love. “Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light!”