A Thought for the Day - September 5, 2023
In the quiet moments of reflection, have you ever truly encountered the living Spirit of Christ? Perhaps, if nothing else, that is why we turn to the gospels. Those four remarkable books, each with its own distinct perspective, offer us a glimpse into the life and teachings of Christ.
I recall a conversation once when a person shared, “I don't care what Jesus said, I want to know what he does for me!” I didn't have an immediate response, but it left me pondering. You see, what Jesus does for us is intricately tied to what he said.
Have you ever sought Christ with the same desperation as those who walked his path during his earthly sojourn? Some pressed through crowds, humbled themselves, waited patiently, climbed trees for a mere glimpse, shouted his name when others told them to be silent, and even left their former lives behind to follow him. They were relentless because, in his presence, they discovered their true selves.
“You are the light of the world,” he declared in a sermon, and he meant it! He believed it about you and me, despite our human flaws and imperfections. In his presence, people began to believe it too, because he did so with unwavering certainty and authority. They came to realize they were greater, more wonderful, and more heroic than they had ever dared to believe—far beyond what society had ever imagined for them.
When we come to him and stand in his presence, something remarkable happens. Much like Paul on the road to Damascus, we can be blinded by the brilliance of the light. It's not just Christ's light but also the light within ourselves that we've concealed.
As we draw near to him and embrace the light, he begins to speak to us about the parts of ourselves we must release—those aspects that shroud our inner light. We must relinquish our old lives, shed our trivial jealousies, and let go of our cherished grievances. Because what he says is intrinsically connected to what he does for us.
By all accounts, Christ teaches that the forgiveness we receive from God extends only as far as the forgiveness we're willing to extend to others. Why? Because forgiveness liberates our inner light from the prisons of our desire to rewrite a past that can never be changed, so that we can be pure light now. This is salvation!
For many today, they believe Christ's primary mission is to save them from eternal damnation. Regrettably, our faith has watered down the gospel's message to the point of being nearly ineffective in our daily lives. Christ, however, came to save us from the hells we create in the present—hells born of our insatiable desires, misplaced wants, unfounded prejudices, and undue pride.
Countless "Christians" endure their personal hells daily, believing they are saved from eternal fires, yet they continue to dwell in their living damnation.
Jesus called for love, mercy, and a life of service that isn't squandered on material riches and empty glory but poured into being a beacon of light. But many choose to save themselves and keep their light hidden.
Rumi, the ancient poet, once said, “Being a candle is not easy. In order to give light, one must first burn.” To share our light means we must endure flames, and it’s no simple task. Ironically, those who strive to save themselves from eternal fires often miss the living fire that sets us ablaze in this world and allows our lights to shine.
God beckons to those willing to embrace the flames, to let themselves burn so that light can illuminate the shadowed corners. Have you gone to Jesus, stood in the presence of his consuming fire, and discovered that you, too, are aflame with light? Are you prepared to heed his words, to allow his gaze to penetrate your very soul and reveal your true self, your inner light, even if it means you'll emerge both shattered and whole? Or as Jesus once said to someone, “Do you want to be saved?”