Bright and Beautiful~

Monday greetings:)

 

Friday's DEVO included this verse. Revelation 21:23 "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp."

 

The city this verse refers to is heaven, and God's glory is so resplendent that electricity is not needed.

 

God is so bright and beautiful that He can bring illumination to you right now.

 

Where, dear one, could you use some clarification?

 

I recall one time that little Rayray came home from school very upset by an incident with one of her teachers. Her teacher had put a big red "X" over a drawing that Rachel had made, and it hurt her feelings deeply. She was horrified at the notion that her teacher thought she was not a very good artist.

 

"Why, dear Lord, would a teacher do that?" I was all prepared to talk to the teacher the next afternoon to see what the problem was, and I asked God for guidance. It's never a good idea to overreact or accuse your kid's teacher--especially when at a small school and with seven months left until the summer.

 

I spent the better part of the day struggling with feelings of ill will toward the teacher and feeling sad for Rayray interspersed with quick little shout outs to God for help. And then, in a moment of clarity, I looked at the drawing again.

 

The teacher did not mark the drawing because she didn't like it. She marked it because it was a random depiction of something that had nothing to do with the assignment. "Please draw a scene from the above paragraph," which was about a family on an island. And Rayray drew butterflies.

 

It was with relief and joy that I was able to explain to Rayray later that day that her drawing, while lovely, was wrong.

 

This is a simple example of how God cares for us--even in the little things. And it's precisely in these moments where our faith is strengthened for the bigger stuff.

 

Here are some requests from last week followed by a short and direct invitation to God

 

"I need the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the right course of treatment."

"Lord, shine some insight into that doc's brain so he makes the right decisions!"

 

"I need some insight into the dark place my spouse has retreated into."

"Lord, bring light and joy to my spouse and fill us with so much brightness that when we are together the darkness will have no choice but to leave."

 

"I need some understanding as to how to better communicate with my teen. I feel like there is a wall between us."

"Lord, fill my child and me with your glory. I want our relationship to be sunny not gloomy."

 

"I need a break at work. My boss is a dictator and my colleagues are always gossiping."

"Lord, it sometimes feels hopeless, but if You can light up heaven just by Your presence than You can bring warmth and peace to my office as well."

 

The common thread is that no matter what it is, every single scenario benefits from God's glory. It's bright and comforting and powerful. And, there is nothing that any of us will ever face that can dim or diminish it.

 

With that said, I leave you with this encouragement: "Arise! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you." Isaiah 60:1

 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that Your glory rises to shine on us. That's important because we, our families, and our communities benefit when You shine on us and we spread it around bringing joy and peace in the process. In Jesus' name, AMEN~