Inside my house are the warm colors of Christmas. I love reds and golds and shiny lights. I enjoy the many angels I’ve collected along the way as well as the nativity scenes both large and small. I like the Scripture verses framed and carved into wood. We also have a wall of crosses that stay there all year long and in the middle of that wall is our family name, surrounded by the crosses. I would say our house is warm and cozy inside.
Outside though it’s dark and gloomy and drippy. It’s not that welcoming. The outdoor Christmas lights are off and the air filled snowman is flopped on the porch. I’m thankful that we don’t live in the yard. We live where it’s warm and inviting and cozy. We live in the light inside, not in the dark outside. People who drive by can see the light from within, even when everything outside is dark.
Oh beloved, are you living in the Light? You may be facing much trouble without, but within you can have the warmth of living in Christ. You aren’t surrounded by destruction, you are surrounded by angels. You may be having trouble focusing on anything but the present misery that has come your way. But God wants your focus to remain on His work on the inside of your heart, where He dwells. He wants you to look at the Word instead of that enormous dark trial that’s just outside. He wants you to remember the Cross every time you feel overwhelmed with the task at hand. He knows it’s hard, especially this time of year with all the seasonal gloom. You didn’t ask for the troubles, you didn’t plan on the hurts and you didn’t deserve what was done. You may have to go through things you didn’t want, but you can focus on who Christ is and keep the Light with you wherever you go. You have the means, within your heart, to shine Jesus in any darkened area you have or any darkness you must travel through. You don’t have to get through anything as though you were groping through the dark. You have the Light of the World with you always. Don’t focus on the darkness, instead focus on the One Who made a way for you to triumph over your troubles, your enemies and your present gloom.
God loves you and He’s for you. His name is Immanuel and He is with you! Surround yourself with His Truth, light up your heart with His favor and brightness and joy. He’s never going to let you succumb to the darkness as long as you look to Him! He favors you with His Presence and He blesses you with His Promises. Light up your life with all that He is! The beauty of His Light is not just for this season, but for every single day of your life as you live cozy and warm in the light of His glory and grace!
John 8: 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 12: 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
Psalm 119: 105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Matthew 1: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
Ephesians 5: 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!