Light Bearers

20 You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn.

One of the sweetest things my daughter Alison has ever done was giving me money to take with me to help feed the impoverished people of Honduras. As she presented the money to me one night before a trip, she said that she hoped someone would be fed and happy because of her gift. Now I am a numbers guy, and since were leaving the next morning, I had a full accounting of what the cost was for a team of 22 people to do evangelism , discipleship and buy and deliver 3 tons of beans and rice was, and it was pretty pricey. So when Alison gave me her $23, it initially did not really blow my socks off. What did effect me later on was the fact that she followed that up with "Dad, I would give more but that is all that I have". Man, I have a lot to learn.

I know the above passage speaks in terms of the Old Covenant to the Israelites, but it clearly shows the role of God's people to bring offerings of "pure beaten oil" to fuel the fire of the lamp of the tabernacle. God later clarifies Himself trough out the Old Testament that He is only worthy of the A#1, best, most precious offerings that people have. He will not accept anything else, and there are serious implications and ramifications for those that try to play God themselves and bring God their leftovers.

Fast forward to the New Testament. Jesus shows up declaring that He is the Light of the World. So what does that mean for us? We get the privilege of bringing Him our best, so that His Light may spread throughout the world. Do not miss this, we are the physical light bearers, but it is only when we bring an unattached fully open, fully bent on obedience heart to Him, that there is fuel for the Light to shine through us. God can move and shine anywhere He wants, but if you want to be a part of that, it starts with Christ's work on the Cross but continues as we worship Him spiritually and mentally and carry out His will by action.

If all of this is kind of confusing to you, I pray you will pick up the word of God for yourself and get to know Him. For many years, I thought church existed to do something for me. I thought I was the one who got to select my experience based on my personal preferences. I sought comfort and patronage of my religious activities. That now seems eerily upside down of what God designed me to do: Reflect His Light to others by worshipping Him with every thing I have,not because I have to, but because I get the luxury to do so!

Ask yourself this question: When the world looks at me do they see the Bright Glory of Jesus, the Morning Star or not?

If you are not sure that they do, go back to the top re-read this and pray for God to move in you...