Let your light shine!

Published on August 24, 2012 by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NKJV)

As I was praying this morning, I had an image in thought of my light shining and God saying, “You are valuable, you are needed, you are making a difference.” Ahhh, how reassuring! Thank you, Father 🙂

This inspired me to write a blog because so often we may wonder if we even have a light to shine! I know I wonder this at times.

Jesus makes the presumption that we all have a light to shine in this statement. He doesn’t say: “If you have a light…”or “If you are one of the lucky ones that God created to have a light, then let it shine.” No.

Christ Jesus message is that each of us has a light – forever – regardless of our human circumstances. His message was a universal one. He chose for his disciples (students) regular, common men – fishermen. These men didn’t have various degrees or a prestigious place in society. One Bible translation describes these men as “unlearned”. And he left these men (and women) to establish a church!

Doesn’t this show us that wherever we are in life – employment status, marital status, education status – that we all have a light to shine. A 3-year-old has this light. A 90-year-old has this light. A 30-year-old and a 50-year-old have this light. This light comes from God so it is divine, perfect, lovely and has a transforming effect on the situations around us.

This light doesn’t decay, wear out, or die. It is an eternal light within each of us that defies time, space or any other material limitations. It exemplifies our oneness with Deity.

So have fun letting your light shine today. We now all know you have one! 🙂

Repost: In Jesus’ footsteps

Published on August 2, 2012August 7, 2012 by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

I can’t resist reposting this blog post by my husband that appeared on CSMonitor.com today.

I love these opportunities we each have to step out of our comfort zone and really delve deeper. Truly inspiring growth always comes from such opportunities!

In Jesus’ footsteps

by John Biggs

While power washing my back porch the other day, I accidentally aimed the nozzle too aggressively at the deck. The dull gray color suddenly vanished, replaced by a vibrant red cedar tone. At first, I was upset with myself for scarring the deck. Then I realized that this was the actual deck. I was very pleased with the color and cleanliness, but I hesitated to pursue the in-depth cleaning because halfway was probably good enough, and company was expected soon.

Isn’t this story symbolically familiar? The comfort zone threatened. Something that disturbs the norm. The aha moment telling you that what lies beneath the surface is so much better. Then hesitancy about reaching for that depth and substance. Right here is where so much of life is decided. Do we stay comfortable or dive deeper? The good … or the best?

Our God-given freedom

Published on July 4, 2012 by lindseybiggs3 Comments

I once heard an analogy about a slave who worked for his master. He was unaware that the laws of the land had changed and he was no longer legally a slave. And no one told him. So he kept working for his master day in and day out.

To me, the point in this allegory is that even though God made us free, we have to know we are free in order to experience the benefits of that freedom.

Christ Jesus famously stated:

“…ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8 KJV)

What is Truth? This is a question that each person has to answer individually; but I believe we are each God’s child, and our tender, loving divine Mother-Father has given us freedom – freedom from sickness, disease, sin, limitation, lack, and sorrow. This is what Christ Jesus showed us.

We may think of freedom as democracy and individual rights. That is certainly one aspect of freedom. But we aren’t completely free until we realize that the material senses – the limitations, lack, sickness and death that are presented to us – cannot bind us.

When Jesus spoke of freedom the people around him said, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” (John 8:33-34 NKJV)

“Truth brings the elements of liberty. On its banner is the Soul-inspired motto, ‘Slavery is abolished.’ The power of God brings deliverance to the captive. No power can withstand divine Love. What is this supposed power, which opposes itself to God? Whence cometh it? What is it that binds man with iron shackles to sin, sickness, and death? Whatever enslaves man is opposed to the divine government. Truth makes man free.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Eddy, p. 224)

Freedom comes from knowing God and knowing who man is – made in the image and likeness of divine Love.

The following excerpt is the most complete, detailed and pure description of man that I have ever come across:

“Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements…Man is spiritual and perfect…Man is idea, the image, of Love…that which has no separate mind from God; that which has not a single quality underived from Deity; that which possesses no life, intelligence, nor creative power of his own, but reflects spiritually all that belongs to his Maker…Man is incapable of sin, sickness, and death.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Eddy, p. 475)

I’ve prayed with this description of man since I was a child and it has freed me from sickness, fear, lust, addiction, and lack.

Once we see and know who we are, we will never again believe anything that tries to say otherwise. When we know God, how loved we are and that God made each of us spiritually and perfectly, we won’t believe anything that goes against that relationship.

Each day we can celebrate our independence and freedom from material limitations.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 NKJV