One recent Monday morning, in a slightly “salty” mood about making the journey to work after a busy weekend, I certainly had a severe case of the Monday morning blahs. My routine of praying as soon as possible after I wake and reading a.m. devotionals, on most days, do a pretty good job of immediately boosting my spirit, but today there was some sort of delay….
I proceeded to go about this “blue mood” Monday morning, trying not to, as I usually do, over think and over analyze every emotional shift. Walking into the bathroom, focused solely on getting into routine, I opened the top drawer of the vanity, picking up my toothbrush and toothpaste. Yep, this is beginning to feel more like the norm…I’m getting ready for work, and work mode is kicking in. Brushing my teeth, now thinking about tasks associated with the workday ahead, I noticed that I hadn’t even turned the lights on. Hmmm….that’s different– I always remember to hit the light switch in the morning. The room is not well-lit at all, but I can actually see well enough to function because of the glimmer of sunlight shining through the bathroom window. It’s happening again….a “dropped in my spirit” moment is occurring!
My thoughts went straight to functioning in darkness. What does that REALLY mean? I thought of the blessing of being able to see—the gift of sight. I thought of those whose every day routine, for many years of their life, has been encircled with some sort of physical darkness due to blindness or impaired vision. I thought even more intensely, correlating darkness to being without a relationship with God. Wow!! What kind of life would that be? How in the world can people live in the pitch blackness of not knowing who God is? How can people know that He exists and in a figuratively speaking, visually challenged state, not opt to be in relationship with him? Do people know that this is what true blindness is? Do they understand that spiritual blindness is far worse than physical blindness can ever be? Why is complacency blocking the energy required to seek God to have a better life? Do they understand that finding Him, knowing Him, learning about Him, loving Him, trusting Him, honoring Him and worshipping Him is what turns the lights on? Do they understand what was made so clear to me on this marvelously-made Monday, that we can function in sub-par lighting and even in complete darkness, however, there is a release–a sigh of something better, a greater feeling of ease, a place of comfort, a posture of less struggle, a disaster recovery plan, a covering of protection, and a sense of Godly peace, when we take just a second to turn the lights on?
So…. We don’t really need to “Turn off the lights, and light a candle”, as Teddy Pendergrass lyrically belted out years ago,right? 😉 We can, however, turn on the lights and blow out the candle, and let our life be illuminated by the beams that ONLY come from “The Light of the World.” Our lives won’t be perfect, I can guarantee that! They certainly will remain as works-in-progress, but exposure to”The Light” will perfectly align our heart, mind and soul to recognize that a good life, a better life, a doable life, a purpose-driven life is found in the Divine rays of “The Son!”
How did that Monday turn out, you might ask??? It ended up being a well-lit Monday! 🙂 The momentary pause on that morning served as a reminder that despite life’s many challenges, there is sooooo much to be thankful for. I was reminded that it’s not healthy to fumble around in darkness. I’m focusing on keeping the lights on! They are shining brightly, and for that, I am extremely grateful. God is good!!
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ John 8:12
Peace & Blessings,
Lisa B