Saturday, April 24, 2021

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). Just as we are a channel for 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
Reposted from the archives

 

12 comments:

Brenda said...

Hi Laurie,
nice post based on scripture. Yes, we can only spread the light of truth that the Holy Spirit was sent to lead us into, according to what gift we have been given to do this with. There are two minds at work constantly, the mind of Christ - which we have access to when we are part of the body of Christ on Earth, and the carnal mind - through which the spiritual enemy will try to divert us away from the truth in Christ. The more we take every thought captive and bring it into obedience to the Word of God spoken to us daily, the stronger we will become in our Lord and grow in Him. I love the way He speaks in dreams, sometimes to warn us. God bless you in the Lord Laurie as you continue to share what you have been given to share.

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
I once looked down a deep pit with its entrance in the basement of a castle, and it went deep underground (I would say by 30 metres, give or take.) Fortunately, a permanent fence surrounded the circular hole and therefore there was no chance of falling in. The vertical shaft was also wide enough to foil any attempts for anyone to climb out.
On the fence, there was a notice explaining the purpose of the pit. During the Middle ages, prisoners were thrown in there and then allowed to starve to death.
Imagine trying to save himself by clutching at his own hair and hoping this would lift him out!
Fortunately for us, it wasn't just the case of Jesus lowering a rope. Rather, using his resurrected body, he was able to lower himself into the pit, throw His arms around us and holding tight, lift us out of the pit by levitating.
Wishing God's blessings on you and Richard - and keep on dancing!

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Brenda,
Yes, we need take every thought captive and surrender it to the truth of God's Word. I have been praying often for that lately, as the flesh, the world and the devil encourage carnal thoughts, whereas we must keep our mind, soul, heart and spirit focused on the spiritual, on Christ Himself.
Thank you as always for your encouraging comment. May God bless you richly,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
Wonderful analogy of the castle pit! Only Christ could resurrect from the dead, and only He can give us eternal life through the atoning sacrifice of His death.
Thank you also for the encouragement to keep on dancing! It gets more and more difficult due to Richard's treatment, time constraints, no planned performance opportunities as of yet because of COVID, and just getting older. But God is good to allow us to continue, and we pray that He will once again use us in this ministry.
May God bless you and Alex,
Laurie

Susan said...

I hope my comment works, for some weird reasons I haven’t been able to post comments 🤷🏼‍♀️That is an incredible dream Laurie! We can do nothing in our own power or inventions or even powers and energies of God’s creation unless the Lord grants it to be successful. What a humbling thought and yet it makes me rejoice in the power of our good and gracious Lord and Saviour. ❤️

Susan said...

Yay! And praise the Lord! I’m back, but only because He makes it so. ❤️😊

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful blog

Rajani Rehana said...

Please read my post

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Susan,
So nice to "see" you again! Amen -- without Him, we can do nothing, but with Him, all things are possible! Thanks for your lovely comment and visit. God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Hi again, Susan -- so glad you're back -- praise the Lord for His grace!

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you, Rajani, for your visit and kind comment! God bless you,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Hi again Rajani,

I read your lovely comment here and also your lovely blog! Thanks so much for sharing!

God bless,
Laurie