September 27
The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on
one’s inmost being. Proverbs 20:27
My dear mother-in-law’s home is filled with lamplight! She has collected lamps of
all varieties over the years. Some of my favorites are the unique little ones, some seasonal decorations, which fill dark corners with a peaceful glow. There is always a feeling of warmth and welcoming in her home, as well as a sense of security - footsteps are certain - there is no hesitation in
navigating throughout the rooms of her house, with it so well illuminated. Nothing in her home is hidden,
everything shows in the light; the comfortable rooms, the things that matter most to her like her family pictures, her prayer books and religious articles, even her shiny windows and freshly ironed curtains. Anything needing attention, whether it is dust in the corner or a wall needing paint, she quickly attends to. Everything sparkles
in her surroundings and It is a joy to be with her and feel her nurturing and love.
In this Scripture verse it does not say that the human spirit is “like” the lamp of the Lord, it says the human
spirit “is” the lamp of the Lord. Just as we cannot control what lamplight is exposing in a room, we cannot deceive what our spirit is demonstrating to others and more importantly to God. Our inmost being is there for
all to plainly see. How good God is to us! He readily nudges us to attend to the areas that need attention in our souls, in order to make His light visible.
How do we reflect His light? Can we control what shines forth from us? First of all, He made us this way; our light shines forth, no matter how shaded it may be. But we can pray about that, and work at being the person God has intended us to be; we can make a greater effort to take time to worship Him and find our way back to Him; we can dim the noise around us and focus on loving others rather than things and ourselves to excess;
we can work toward the good of all His creation; and with each step forward toward God, our spirits will brighten like lamplight, lifting us up and shedding our light - God’s light - on everyone and everything around us.
Father, may the light that shines from me be worthy for You to see.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on
one’s inmost being. Proverbs 20:27
My dear mother-in-law’s home is filled with lamplight! She has collected lamps of
all varieties over the years. Some of my favorites are the unique little ones, some seasonal decorations, which fill dark corners with a peaceful glow. There is always a feeling of warmth and welcoming in her home, as well as a sense of security - footsteps are certain - there is no hesitation in
navigating throughout the rooms of her house, with it so well illuminated. Nothing in her home is hidden,
everything shows in the light; the comfortable rooms, the things that matter most to her like her family pictures, her prayer books and religious articles, even her shiny windows and freshly ironed curtains. Anything needing attention, whether it is dust in the corner or a wall needing paint, she quickly attends to. Everything sparkles
in her surroundings and It is a joy to be with her and feel her nurturing and love.
In this Scripture verse it does not say that the human spirit is “like” the lamp of the Lord, it says the human
spirit “is” the lamp of the Lord. Just as we cannot control what lamplight is exposing in a room, we cannot deceive what our spirit is demonstrating to others and more importantly to God. Our inmost being is there for
all to plainly see. How good God is to us! He readily nudges us to attend to the areas that need attention in our souls, in order to make His light visible.
How do we reflect His light? Can we control what shines forth from us? First of all, He made us this way; our light shines forth, no matter how shaded it may be. But we can pray about that, and work at being the person God has intended us to be; we can make a greater effort to take time to worship Him and find our way back to Him; we can dim the noise around us and focus on loving others rather than things and ourselves to excess;
we can work toward the good of all His creation; and with each step forward toward God, our spirits will brighten like lamplight, lifting us up and shedding our light - God’s light - on everyone and everything around us.
Father, may the light that shines from me be worthy for You to see.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson