Find a Lampstand for your Lamp
Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.✝
As we enter into Day Four of Fasting and Prayer today, the focus for us is being the Light that God desires and has designed us to be in the wake of the darkness (Isaiah 60:1-2). A light that will literally draw "...kings and nations...".
And God has given us some instructions that will help us in Matthew 5, "...no one lights a lamp and than puts it under a basket. Instead a lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it gives light to everyone in the house...".
Let me share a personal story with you that I believe will shed some "light" on this for us.
When we first moved to Los Lunas, Laura had to stay behind in Las Cruces to finalize some business and personal matters for us. So not only was I responsible for unloading the moving truck but I had to assume a new duty that was normally handled by her...putting everything we own in it's proper place. Now I have a creative and spontaneous nature that as my wife puts it, it a beautiful thing, but not when it comes to putting things where they belong. She wants a home not a Picasso museum...LOL.😄
Well, I stuck to the plan that she had previously designed and placed into my trust for the most part except for two lamps that were normally positioned in the Living Room on two round tables. I decided to take the liberty to impose some of my personality into her design(after all they were only lamps)...right? I decided to use the tables for something completely different than their intended purpose(truth be told I didn't really understand their purpose)...but instead of asking her what the purpose was I just went with my "gut" and placed the lamps in our bedroom as decorations because I thought they excentuated the decor nicely.🤔
When my wife finally arrived in Los Lunas, I took her on a tour of the house. Overall, she was pleased with my work but she did notice the lamps were out of place. I tried to explain to her that I thought the lamps looked beautiful in the bedroom but she quickly explained to me that the lamps were not decorations, they had a purpose...to light up the Living Room Area in the evenings. And than she asked me where the tables were that the lamps sat on. I told her I had utilized them for displaying some personal items and once again she explained to me that the tables were "stands" for the lamps which elevated them enough for the light from the lamps to be useful.
Today as you ponder and seek the Lord on how you can be a brighter Light for Him, don't forget to find the lampstand. It's purpose elevates your purpose and makes you more effective for the Kingdom. As Matthew 5 says, "...it will give light to everyone in the house...so that your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father". Find your lampstand.
Become more than just a decoration for the Gospel.