Verse of the Day - John 1:4-5

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
~ John 1:4-5 (NIV)

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Yesterday, while at my step-sister's house for Christmas, my brother-in-law asked me if I had looked through the "angel" glasses yet. I'd seen these 3-D glasses sitting on the coffee table and watched my son put them on and flick them up and down, but curiosity hadn't killed this cat (me). But while others were eating pie, I thought I'd give it a whirl. So I put on the glasses and looked at the Christmas tree. Lo, and behold! There were angels all over the tree, and their wings were really fluttering! It was actually very incredible. Though not meant for regular light bulbs, it worked great on Christmas lights!

So, I ask you: what 3-D glasses does humanity need to put on in order to see the Light of the World? Why do they not recognize Him for who He is? They look at Him and think He's a good teacher or a wise man, but not the Savior of the world -- but, see, they're using plain glasses made by man. To see the glory of God in this Son of Man, they need spiritual 3-D glasses...a submissive heart to the Supreme Authority, an acknowledgment of their sin condition, a desire to do things by God's way, God's truth, God's life.

...that life was the light of men.

How can we help people realize that they need to walk over to the proverbial coffee table and put on the glasses that will enable them to see what appears to be just a good man, but is in reality the Creator of the universe, and the Savior of the world? What can we do to shine light on The Light, when the darkness seems so dark?

God has given us two basic tools in order to be light-bearers on Jesus: words and deeds...

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ~ Romans 10:14 (NIV)

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

But we must be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, so that we are effective where we are placed. Tying someone down to a Starbucks couch and strapping spiritual 3-D glasses to their face while you shout, "Do you see it the light?! Do you see the light?!" just isn't gonna cut it. Filling up someone's mailbox with 4,000 pairs of glasses may not do the trick. We think we know best how to help people see Jesus, but the reality is that the Holy Spirit knows best. And we need to be listening to Him as we go about magnifying the Lord, the Great Light of the World.

Please don't be discouraged if/when those you come in contact with don't want to put the glasses on, or somehow don't see His light when they do first put them on. Pray for God's intervention in their lives, that He will open their eyes so that Christ's light will be revealed, in all His glory.

May God bless you richly as you help spark humanity's curiosity about Jesus, the Light of the world. Seek to help the unseeing see with new glasses...

Love,
Joelene