I love plants and beautiful landscaping, and I enjoy being outside. One of my hobbies is doing projects in my yard. The other day, I was at a garden store looking around and getting some ideas when I happened upon some beautiful path lights. I thought about my yard and where I could put them. They were solar powered, so they could go anywhere. I finally thought of the perfect place right by the steps off of the back porch.
I was excited about my purchase. When I got home and put the lights in the ground, I thought, "This is the perfect spot! They look great!" It was a bright, sunny day, so I fully expected the lights to be charged so we could enjoy them that evening.
After dinner, Joel and I went out for a walk, and when we came back, I was looking forward to seeing the new lights. We came around the corner toward the back porch, and lo and behold, those lights were just as dark as they could be. There wasn't even a dim flicker! I was a little frustrated because I had already thrown away the box and my receipt. I hoped they just needed a little more time.
The next night, Joel and I went out for our walk and came back again to a dark walkway. By this time, I was really annoyed. I thought, "These cheap lights! No wonder they were on sale." I grabbed the first light and pulled it out of the ground. As I lifted it up, I noticed this tiny little tab that said, "Pull." I didn't see it before. All of the lights had this little tiny tab. I pulled the tab on each of the lights and the next night, sure enough, those lights were illuminated so brightly! They were beautiful!
I thought to myself, "People are a lot like those sun-powered lights." We can be in the presence of the powerful light of the S-O-N all day long, but if there's something blocking us, we won't ever receive His power and we won't ever shine. We have to "pull the tab," so to speak, on doubt, bitterness and unforgiveness. We have to keep our hearts pure and open to Him so that we can reflect His light to the world. Today, ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. If there is anything in the way of your light shining, pull it out and get rid of it! Keep yourself open and stay in His presence so that you can be the bright reflection He designed you to be.
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, NIV)