Lighting the Candle

Daily Reading: Zechariah, Psalm 18, Psalm 48

Psalm 18:28 “For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.”

Last night we went to the monthly leadership meeting at church. We watched a video that was basically a drama played out at a church. It was a monologue of a girl who was explaining why the church doesn’t reach her generation. It was touching and really insightful. I sat there and felt so out of touch with the people I’m supposed to be ministering to. The video was actually several years old and the generation she portrayed is now the same group who are sitting in my newlywed class right now. I felt so convicted that I didn’t know this group of young men and women. It is true that I cannot ever relate to them on an empathetic level, but I need to understand them. I need to know what my words mean to them. How truth is interpreted by them and what it takes to make them understand the reality of absolute truth. Granted the couples we are working with are all saved, but are they sure? Are they confident? Do they really know how much God loves them? Do they know what commitment is? Do they understand that they really can have successful marriages? The Lord will enlighten my darkness. Those areas where I cannot see beyond my own experiences and my own convictions…He will walk with me and light my candle so that I can see the difference in me and them…so that I can see the confusion that they are bearing and show them the same light that guides me can reveal truth to them. I felt so strongly last night that my prayers for these couples have been slightly amiss. That I have not prayed enough for their individual hurts to be healed, for their minds to be transformed and their hearts molded correctly. What an opportunity…to come to Christ with your mate and know that as you are learning to know who Jesus is…He is conforming you to himself as you are conforming to each other. How tight the bond will be when these young Christians are fully dedicated to the things of God.

Psalm 48:14 “For this God is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.”

I think one of the things that keeps me from relating to people is my fear of taking risk. It’s a risk to ask personal questions. What if they don’t like me? What if I hurt their feelings? What if it’s none of my business? What if they think I’m so naïve, I’m stupid? Wouldn’t it be better if I just make myself available and if they want to come to me, they can? No! Not anymore…ouch…I don’t like this. God will be our guide…even unto death. This death is not a heart stops beating, throw her in the coffin death…for me this verse is talking about my flesh dying to the Holy Spirit. I need to stop being afraid. He will guide me to the death of my flesh and to the revelation and power of the Holy Spirit. I have to move beyond what’s comfortable. That sounds so cliché and in truth…I’ve always felt like I’ve done that, but there are still areas I’m afraid to go. I need to constantly be aware that God is my God not just forever, but wherever. He will guide…as that guide, He will protect, He will comfort and He will be glorified. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve ever given Him the opportunities He’s desired. Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thank God…I am not confined to what I am capable of…Bless the Lord Oh My Soul, for He hath redeemed me and I am a new creature. Lord, help me recognize the flesh that so desires to creep from below my new feet and do the work that only you can do.