“You are the world’s light—it is impossible to hide a town built on the top of a hill. Men do not light a lamp and put it under a bucket. They put it on a lampstand and it gives light to everybody in the house.” Matthew 5:15 Phillips
“The heroes that inspire us are the ones in which we see a glimpse of our own potential.” Alexander Den Heijer
Jesus is our favorite hero—Do we glimpse a bit of our own potential in him? We do have the potential to do as he did.
Call a shut-in?
Feed the hungry?
Mentor a young person?
Companion to the elderly?
Pray for and contribute to our country and communities?
Speak for those who can’t? Children, domestic abuse victims, animals, or other victims?
It can be a scary and isolating experience.
My husband, many years ago, was chatting with his four-year-old daughter and she showed him the many quarters she had.
“Where did you get all that money? Did you do some work for mom?” My husband queried with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh no! I went to our neighbor’s and he told me if I touch his boy part, I get a quarter.” So pleased with herself at her generous income.
You can imagine the horror, pain and anger that hit my hubby all at once. He called the police. They filed a report. The word was out. And my husband was rejected by the whole culdesac because this man was popular and wealthy. Dirty looks. Whispered conversations. Pressure to move.
Which he did. To another city with a much better career opportunity. He followed the rule of law and hope. He received some counseling and his daughter had little recollection of the incident and enjoyed a fun, loving and normal childhood.
Standing for something, especially someone we love may mean isolation and rejection. Jesus certainly coped with this over and over. He had self-control, constant presence with the Father and vision. How my husband had self-control and vision for his little one and kept self-control, I’ll never understand. God-breathed? Grace under fire?
Musings
Speaking up for what’s right is a tough one! When we ruminate on our feelings of inadequacy, we’re being “self-centered” and fragile before we start. Focused on self. I admit, standing in front of an audience ain’t easy! Standing in front of a disagreeable audience is even worse. Jesus did this many times. Again, our Father cares about our character first so difficult situations are in our lives to help us grow our character. We bring out our light from under the basket. Our strength comes from the Father.
Prayer
Dear Father,
It’s hard to believe there’s nothing new under the sun. Were people as corrupt and hostile as they are today? History and Your word proves they were. And it’s discouraging. And it’s scary. But in your word are scared people who overcame with your strength and wisdom.
We ask for you to strengthen us in these turbulent days. We thank you for your strength in these turbulent days.
We remember each day that you are God and we are not. We are especially thankful you are God.
Amen.
Prayers and Musings of a Black Sheep 