Activated Calling

Shine

As long as the lights are out, as long as the sun isn’t shining, no progress is made, unless, of course, you shine a light into that darkness. Looking for a lost item, walking a pathway, and troubleshooting a problem require clarity of vision. Those things might have no obstruction around them, and yet, until the darkness that surrounds them is dealt with, there can be no hope of resolution. The discovery of electricity and batteries as a power source has made it possible to shine a light into just about any dark place. There are headlamps, magnet lights, and flashlights, but there is nothing like just waiting till the sun comes up to shine light everywhere, for its aura to be an overwhelming elimination of inhibiting darkness. The purpose of these lights is not to gain accolades for their shining but rather to enable progress and success that was not possible apart from their it.

There was a great darkness that covered all the world with a very constricting barrier of darkness. It was into that darkness Jesus came to flood the whole earth with an ability to see and come to the Source of all light. For self-defeating addictions and chains of illusions to lose their hold, Jesus became their means of seeing the way out of their abyss. With every step out of darkness, however, something much greater than just escape is happening. Exposure and immersion in that Light transforms the ability to make progress and walk correctly, but it also transforms the purpose of every aspect of living. It is now to become the Light and carry the illumination of God’s goodness and mercy to all that are so desperately in need. To be called out of darkness into a marvelous light is to also be given the mission of carrying/being that Light that is perishing apart from it. To be called out is to also be called into. Every encounter with Him is an encounter with Light and further commission to be that Light to a world cloaked in darkness.

Notes

Jesus’ calling – to be the Light to a dark world

John 1:6-9 (NLT) [6] God sent a man, John the Baptist, [7] to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. [8] John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. [9] The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Our calling - Light

Matthew 5:14 (NLT) [14] “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

The opportunity for Light Walking is limited

John 12:35 (NLT) [35] Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.

Called out of darkness to display the light of God’s glory

1 Peter 2:9-10 (NLT) [9] But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. [10] “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

It’s in the flooding of light that understanding comes

Ephesians 1:18 (NLT) [18] I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

To be filled – no dark corners

Luke 11:34-36 (NLT) [34] “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. [35] Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. [36] If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”

Walking in the Light looks like walking together in holiness

1 John 1:6-7 (NKJV) [6] If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Living now for our destination

Revelation 21:23-24 (NLT) [23] And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. [24] The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory.