Saturday, August 26, 2017

Channel His True Light!

Photo by A-Giau 2004


I dreamed that I would be performing a dance solo in a large theatre. As part of the costume, I had designed a large, elaborate headdress created from solar panels arranged in an intricate pattern. My plan was that when the bright stage lighting hit the solar panels, it would generate enough power to propel me upward so that I would be airborne and I could dance in the air!

But on opening night, much to my dismay, the bright lights illuminated me and my headdress, but I remained earthbound. My dance was limited to what I could do in my own power, and I was unable to fly.

Despite my disappointment and embarrassment, I wasn’t ready to give up on my creation, so I went outdoors to a brilliant sunny day, taking time to absorb the golden rays into my headdress. But once again in the dream, my plan was foiled, for the weight of the headdress was so heavy that whatever energy was stored in the solar panels could not overcome the pull of gravity on my body.

As I awoke and considered the symbolism of the dream, I realized that the dance represented the opportunity each of us is given to perform on life’s stage, with that opportunity as fleeting as a solo in the spotlight (James 4:14; John 9:4; Job 14:1).

In our physical world, energy from the sun can be absorbed by photovoltaic cells in solar panels and stored in batteries for later use as light energy, kinetic energy, or other forms of power. But my plan to use the headdress to overcome gravity was flawed because I was attempting to channel energy from artificial light rather than from the sun.

In the spiritual as well as in the physical realm, there is only One Source of true light, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:9). He is the Creator Who brought light into existence with the words of His mouth (Genesis 1:3-5). His light has shined on those walking in darkness, to free us from death (Isaiah 9:2) and give sinful man the peace of being reconciled to Holy God (Luke 1:79).

Without Jesus Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). No efforts of our own can earn our way to Heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9) or pull us up out of the miry pit of sin (Psalm 40:2). No person, relationship, false god, human construct or natural wonder can provide saving grace (1 John 5:21; Acts 4:12; John 14:6). In fact, none of these can provide any meaningful power at all unless Jesus Christ Himself, the Source of all power, empowers them (Matthew 28:18).

In the dream, my plan to utilize the sun’s energy rather than depending on artificial light was a step in the right direction. However, I could not rise up from the earth because the headdress was too heavy. Even once we are saved by our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we may not soar to the heights He has planned for us if we become burdened by sins and weights (Hebrews 12:1).

Our earthly body groans to be freed from its weight and to soar into the heavens when Jesus Christ returns for His children, to meet with us in the air (Romans 8:16-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57). Then we will have a glorified body (1 Corinthians 15:35-50), like His, free from the restraints of sin, death, and perhaps even gravity!

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5), and once we are saved, He asks us to be His light in the world (Matthew 5:14) by channeling His true light (John 12:46). Like living water and blessings, we absorb His light and allow it not only to empower us, but to flow through us and bless others (John 7:38).

Because God is light (1 John 1:5), we as His children are to walk in the light, sharing His glorious Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). Every day the born-again Christian (John 3:3-8) fights a battle between the Holy Spirit living in our heart from the moment we are saved (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30), and our old sin nature (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Romans 6:6; 8:3-14).

The new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15) wants to yield to the Spirit and follow His light, sharing that light with others (Philippians 2:15; Ephesians 5:8-14). But our fleshly desires pull us in the opposite direction, toward darkness (John 3:19; Romans 13:12). Yet we are the children of light, and the children of the day, not of the night nor of darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5-8).

The day when Christ appears in all His glory grows closer with each passing moment. We therefore must put on His armor of light, abandon the works of darkness, and spread His Word, for the day approaches when our work on earth will be over and it will be too late to help others (Romans 13:12; John 9:4).

May we leave behind the works of darkness, set aside the weights and sins that are hindering our Christian life, and channel the true light of Jesus Christ as our sole power source. Without Him, we remain earthbound and can do nothing, but with Him, we are elevated to heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6), and all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26)

© 2017 Laurie Collett

 

6 comments:

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
By reading about your dream, I couldn't help come to mind about a parable Jesus once spoke about. He tells of a king who threw a big banquet for his son's wedding. Assuming every guest was provided with a specific garment to wear at table, there was one fellow who thought that his own business suit would made him stand out from the others as unique. He certainly was unique! The host spotted him standing out like a sore thumb and threw him out (Matthew 22:1-14).
The wedding garment represents the righteousness of Christ, in turn the business suit represents the guest's own righteousness by self effort.
Could it be that your headdress represents your own efforts, regardless on how beautiful it looked, yet failed to lift you airborne? It's just a thought.
A well-written, encouraging blog.
God bless.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
So true, that any attempt to be saved by anything other than the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ will fall flat, whether it is our own effort, our self-righteousness, or bootstrapping onto any source of power that does not come from Christ alone. Our righteousness is as filthy rags, and there is no work we can do to earn our way to Heaven, for Christ did it all. Thank you for sharing your interpretation and insight, and for your encouragement.
God bless,
Laurie

Donald Fishgrab said...

So many times, when we attempt to accomplish something we find we've weighted our selves downwith human techniques and fleshly powers sources that prevent our accomplishing Godly goals. Great post.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Donald! If we would only get out of our own way, God could do great things through us! That is why He chooses to work through those who are most yielded to Him, and not those with superior abilities. His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
God bless,
Laurie

Susan said...

Love the post, and others comments as well!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Susan! I'm blessed to hear you enjoyed the post.
Love in Christ,
Laurie