This past weekend I was privileged to attend yet another amazing and spiritually revitalizing church retreat. Some of the NHBC family were at Fort Myers Beach for a weekend of getting close to God and reflecting on His word. The retreat's theme was "Shine" and how we as believers need to shine for Jesus so that others can see His light in us.
God gives us many opportunities to shine and this morning I missed an opportunity to shine. Sometimes we can get caught up in the regular monotony that is our work week and let our lights dim. I was in traffic driving down the same street I have been taking for the past four years to go to work and while sitting at a stop light I was startled by a person in my window. It was an older man at my passenger window which was open and he reached in with one hand palmed and asked for money. I reacted by waving him off and saying "I am sorry". He replied "Man, I have nothing." and walked off to the next car. In my mind I thought to myself, I work two jobs, I practically bust by back to get what I have.
I don't know his situation or what happened to put him in his current state. What I now know I should have said was; "You have Jesus, and the best thing is you don't have to beg for it and it doesn't even cost anything" "All you have to do is let him in to your heart." The Christian in me would have had me give him the plan of salvation at that moment. My opportunity to shine for Him to this one person missed. I know that things happen for a reason and because of this encounter I am writing this blog which I have not had the inspiration to write in a long time. Also because I missed my moment to shine this morning God gave me second opportunity and I was able to give the plan of salvation to my Aunt who is going through a difficult time. Glory be to God.
Sailors use the light from a lighthouse to steer them clear of obstacles and the rocky coast during the night and in stormy weather. Airplanes use beacons of light to help them arrive to their destination and land safely. Automobiles use headlights to drive in the night and in fog so that their occupants can reach the destination without incident. Many people use us as their "light" to guide them even when we ourselves are not shining as bright as we could. You wouldn't go driving in your car at night if your headlights weren't working. An airport would shut down if they had no runway lights to guide the planes. A lighthouse keeper lives in the lighthouse to make sure that the light is working and brightly shining all the time. God is entrusting His light in us, we are the lighthouse keepers of our spiritual walk and it is important that we never let that light go out for the sake of those who are seeking it.
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