TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. (John 12:46 ESV)
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• My son has an uncanny knack for looking at a situation and then finding the most difficult way to go about it. He seems to thrive on doing everything the hard way. I facepalm myself a lot.
This week, we’re dealing with a second-degree sunburn of epic proportions because he decided that being in the mountains at a pool wouldn’t require sunblock. Mind you that between my fair skin and his dad’s red-haired complexion, we used to joke around that Charlie would be born transparent. He doesn’t have the kind of complexion that will simply tan; that sort of trait doesn’t run on either side of his family. Yesterday, I took him to the doctor, and I’m praying he is starting to feel some relief from the prescription-grade skin ointment prescribed to him. He can’t go back to work until Monday.
It has been a costly (and painful) lesson in the importance of sunblock.
And as aggravated as I am with Charlie for getting himself in yet another avoidable situation, I feel sorry for him. And I realize — the apple didn’t fall far from the tree — I’m not so different.
In my younger days, I decided I didn’t need the Bible or church. I abandoned my relationship with Jesus to do my own thing. Instead of spending time turning to Jesus, I spent time pursuing temporary solutions, and what I foolishly thought would be enough.
I was wrong.
But I didn’t need sunblock — I simply needed the Son.
In John 12:46, Jesus said, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” I know what it is to walk in darkness, and there’s a lot of falls and trips and hurt that happens in the dark. But while I may still fall from time to time, the light of Jesus fills my heart. His presence gives me peace. It gives me comfort. It gives me joy.
So many in the world are tripping and groping their way through the darkness, trying to find their own way. They fail to recognize that there only is One way to the light. One way to the peace they crave. One way to the joy for which they yearn. One way to the Truth. And finding that One way starts with surrender.
A surrender of pride. A surrender of self.
Jesus Himself said it — “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
We can struggle and fight it and keep doing things the hard way. Or we can reach for the Son and know that with Him, life is infinitely better. We will still face troubles and hardships, yes. But we will never face them alone.
We all need time in the Son. Every day. And with Him, it’s never too much.
Today, as you pray, thank Jesus for being the light to guide us to everlasting life. Thank Him for His willingness to give His light to anyone who asks. Ask the Holy Spirit to spark a light of revival in the world so that others will recognize their need for the Son. And if you have tripped yourself, and realize that you have been in darkness — reach for the Son Jesus Christ, and trust in the promise of the light only He can offer.
And one final note…. This weekend, Harvest Ministries is debuting their crusade, but in a different format. They are calling it a Cinematic Crusade, and it starts today and runs through Monday, September 7th. You can watch online at Harvest.org.
SHARING ••• My Grace-Full Life is written by Denise Heidel. You are welcome to share anything I write, but please credit my writing and graphics accordingly. Visit www.MyGraceFullLife.com to read past blogs. Subscribe through my website to have My Grace-Full Life delivered to your email. You can unsubscribe at any time. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the ESV translation.
