Verse of the Week: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)
Truth of the Week: When Jesus walked upon this earth, He was often criticized for spending so much time with “non-religious” people. He seemed to surround Himself with sinners – dining with drunkards, befriending tax collectors, and engaging in conversation with women of ill repute. He did not confine Himself to the synagogue, nor did He spend all of His free time with His inner circle of disciples. Jesus lived His life in the presence of the least and the lost. He loved those who were hurting and helpless, and cared for those who were broken and weighed down with heavy burdens. He did not hide Himself away from the very world He came to save. If I am to follow in His footsteps, and wear the label of the light of the world, shouldn’t my life bear some resemblance to my Savior’s?
I fear that too often we who are believers in Christ spend our lives encased in our Christian cocoons, rarely connecting with the world around us. We go to Christian churches, have our kids in Christian schools, fellowship with Christian friends, and are involved in Christian ministries – with schedules to full to engage in the culture around us. I have been convicted of this lately in my own life.
May God extend the borders of our lives so that we might form relationships with people who are starving to know the love of Christ. May He give us eyes to notice those that He places in our paths, mouths to share meaningful conversation, and hearts that overflow with His love for those walking in this world who have not yet embraced Jesus as their Savior. May we break out of our cocoons and be the light that the world desperately needs to see.
Quote of the Week: Lyrics by Brandon Heath from the song “Give Me Your Eyes” -
“Give me your eyes for just one second
give me your eyes so I can see
everything that I keep missing
give me your love for humanity
give me your arms for the broken hearted
the ones that are far beyond my reach
give me your heart for the ones forgotten
give me your eyes so I can see.”
Check out the whole song on Youtube… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihvG607W-c
