Intrapersonal Learning: light

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Primary Focus

“If God is not our primary focus, then everything else will soon get out of focus.” Selwyn Hughes

For a photographer, the words ‘out of focus’ induce anxiety. In the dark rooms of a now distant past, one was never quite sure that the image was clear and well lit until the process was complete and then, of course, it was too late. The parade and the game were over, the wedding cake cut, the sunlight gone. There was no do-over.

Thirsty Baby - The water droplets arrived just in
time to keep the rosebud from dropping
in the drought.

The digital world gives us a ‘bit’ more room for error. Yet, when my camera malfunctioned, focusing three feet behind the members of my family gathered at dusk from a 10,000-mile diameter in the Christmas cold, that error was significant. In spite of how it looked through the lens, the focus was significantly off and the light was fading fast. Fortunately, my wonderful husband was at hand with his expertise and equipment.

The assumption, that what I was looking at was a proper representation, was my error.

Our relationship with God is similar. We may think we are seeing Him clearly, through our preferred mode of worship, our understanding of His written word, the songs written in His honor. But when the day dawns and we meet Him face to face, will we realize it’s all been out of focus?

The way we affirm ourselves in our faith may seem quite ‘godly,’ but the light may reveal that we have focused on a blurred image. We may be reading and listening or singing along, thinking it’s as good as it gets and so are we… But if we haven’t allowed Him to reveal Himself to us through these things, our central processor is seriously flawed. Our own thoughts, preferences, and understanding have led us to believe something quite different than the truth.

We never grow past the point of our need for God to reveal Himself. He designed it to be that way.

If you frequently find yourself saying, ‘maybe God wants…’ or ‘at my church, we…’ it’s time to check your focus. Are you willing to be adjusted to see things from His omniscient perspective?

The Master alone can adjust the lens of your life so that you see with absolute clarity what before was a shadowy, blurred image. Just ask.

Luke 11:33-36 “34 Your eye is ·a light [L the lamp] for the body. When your eyes are ·good [healthy; clear], your whole body will be full of light. But when your eyes are ·evil [unhealthy; bad], your whole body will be full of darkness. 35 So be careful ·not to let the light in you become [or that the light in you is not actually] darkness. 36 If your whole body is full of light, and none of it is dark, then you will ·shine bright [be radiant; be filled with light], as when a lamp shines [brightly; L with its rays] on you.” Expanded Bible.

Mark 8:25 “Then he laid his hands again upon his eyes, and he saw distinctly, and was restored and saw all things clearly.” Darby Bible.

See also: Psalm 27:13, Matthew 5:8, Matthew 7:34-35, 1 Corinthians 13:12, Hebrews 11:3, Revelation 3:14-22

Excerpt from:

While it is Called Today - a 30-day photo devotional for living well

by Dee Marvin Emeigh

www.livwellseedco.com

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

You Are the Light

Harbor of Refuge Light by Dee Marvin Emeigh

The lighthouse stands on the rocky shores of life’s seas. Its purpose is to safely guide us, averting disaster. We can carefully follow the light into the harbor of rest or recklessly ignore the signals and risk crashing on the shore with such force that our vessel is battered or even broken. We have the choice.

We may not even care much about ourselves -- until we recognize the precious cargo entrusted to us -- one which depends on an earthen vessel like ours to carry out its destiny. Even then, we may excuse ourselves from the responsibility because we don’t feel that we are capable of such a divine purpose. We may believe it to be someone else’s task: Certainly, a worm such as I could never be expected to do anything for God!

There is no script we can follow that renders us good and acceptable, nor is there a formula that guarantees our success. But God Himself asks that we toss overboard our baggage of unworthiness, drop the anchor of hope into His word and hold fast to the line of faith in what He has said. This is what it means to receive Him. When we do, He empowers us to become like Him, as His children. We don't need to wonder about our purpose and destiny any longer. If we have received this precious gift of the life of Jesus the Anointed One of God, we have been chosen to carry that life to its ultimate purpose. It is to be individual, unique vessels of His life in the earth.

Surprisingly, it is really not so difficult! All that is required is a continual commitment to hear His voice and allow His light to penetrate us so that we, too, may be lighthouses in a dark and desperate world -- today.

"I will say to the Lord, 'You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you.'" Psalm 91:2 NCV

See also: John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Matthew 5:14