Light bulbs

In my early 20’s I really thought I had most spiritual things figured out. I would look at myself and not see many things that needed to be changed. I laugh at that now. I would look at verses and highlight them for someone else that needed to hear it.

The Holy Spirit revealed some things to me and I finally came to my senses. Through a personal bible study I was doing in my mid 20’s, I discovered the process of growth. I knew that the Christian life was a process of learning and applying but the Holy Spirit truly spoke to me through a…”vision” of sorts. That’s the only word I can think of to describe it.

I pictured myself in a long narrow tunnel. The tunnel represented my Christian walk. The tunnel was dimly lit.

At the top of the tunnel I could see chains hanging down to light bulbs. You know the kind you see in a closet. Some of the light bulbs were already on but not all of them. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that the entire tunnel ceiling was full of light bulbs that were not yet on. In my past, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I had reached up and pulled some chains but I had many, many more to see.

The light bulbs represent many aspects of Christ and what He wants to give me- joy, peace, comfort, strength, resolve, perseverance, boldness, knowledge, wisdom and so much more. I just have to be willing to reach up.

The tunnel gets brighter and brighter as I discover what Christ has for me in this life. I know that I have a long way to go and thankfully I don’t want to quit walking on this journey of growth and light bulbs.

Hosea's Wife-Gomer

I was recently looking again at the book of Hosea in the Bible because of a song by Brooke Fraser titled Hosea’s Wife. I also recalled the book by Francis Rivers titled Redeeming Love. When I was reading Hosea I found myself shocked and amazed. I simply can’t get over the actions of Gomer. She repeatedly turned from Hosea in spite of his forgiveness. Yet I was even more astonished at how Hosea responded. He continually took her back.

Through the book of Hosea and then hearing the song Hosea’s Wife and remembering back to the fiction account of Gomer I am shocked at God’s response to us. I don’t want to forget how much like Gomer I really am. I don’t want to hang on to guilt or shame but I do want to remember what God saved me from because of His love for me. I am His creation!

Also, the book of Hosea is a parallel account of how God’s people repeatedly turned from Him and God took them back over and over again. I don’t want to forget that truth when I am dealing with people in His Body or even outside the Body. I give up on people to easily at times.

Note: I am not a fiction reader. There are a few exceptions. One fiction book I do highly recommend is Redeeming Love. It was amazing and real.