Listening to the Holy Spirit:
Those of the world know little; they are confined by the finite. What is of God is eternal. Without blemish all could be, but I will it not. All life must know of death, that life would be, for death is the lack of life, as darkness the lack of light, and cold, heat. I am the light of men; My light brings all to being. The breath of life comes from He who cannot die. My creation brings forth life from life, temporal from the eternal, and then for some, eternal from the temporal. My children fear no death, for those alive in My Spirit do not die, but burst forth into abundant life. My Father calls, and drawn by the Spirit you have answered and obeyed. Do not fear what the pagan fears. He who boasts of no God has the deepest pain in fear, for he knows no hope, rich with knowledge, but poor in faith, hiding in the shadow, that the light he refuses does not show bare his fear. Rejoice in the light given to you from eternity. It is My light that is the light of men, and if I can bring life to the lifeless, then I can bring hope to your struggle. I do not leave you. Fear not for tomorrow. I AM there before you.
John 1:4-5 (ESV) – In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Acts 13:47 (ESV) – For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Ephesians 5:8 (ESV) – For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Luke 8:16 (ESV) – “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
Taking It to Work:
I once played a game where I was blindfolded and had to be led around like I was blind. It is hard to imagine that some have to live that way. No light, just total darkness all the time.
I often think about if I had been born blind, and never saw an image of anything; what would come to my mind when I heard the word bird, or tree or face? How would my mind picture something without pictures?
Light is what makes vision possible. Without light, even the miracle of sight can’t function.
In the first chapter of John, we are told that in Jesus was life, and that life was the light of men. I have worked in environments that you could almost see that light. Respect, honesty, and people that were genuine and helpful, made that place a joy in which to work.
On the other hand, I have spent some time in companies that were far “darker”, and you could feel the heaviness on the whole crew.
Now, both the companies I am thinking of had their ups and downs, but working with people that reflect His light in the workplace made handling those ups and downs a much different experience.
Jesus is the light of men. His light through us is what makes that incredible difference. You see it in homes, in companies, in countries.
Without light entering our eyes, the default is blindness. Without His light entering the workplace, the default is darkness.
Our official job descriptions may not list it, but our scriptures today spell it out pretty clearly; we are to be His light-bearers in the workplace.
In the eyes of heaven, it may be the most important part of your job, as His Word works through you, today.
