Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Renewal: Witnessing the Eternal Light
Revelation 1: 12-20Shelvin George
St Thomas MTC,Yonkers, NY
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades
 


Many times we find ourselves caught up in the organized chaos we call our lives - snooze alarm, brush teeth, drink coffee, skip breakfast, catch our breath on the way to work or class. The general public, as well as the up and coming generations of our youth all too fondly share this system. Morning Bible study and prayer is altogether detached from the routine, or brought back as an add-on item when something is needed. Can we allow this to remain the norm?

In this passage, John speaks to us about a vision where he hears a voice, sees seven golden lampstands and someone resembling Jesus who is holding seven stars in his right hand. These seven stars signified the seven angels of the seven churches and the lampstands symbolize the seven churches of the era. These churches, like us, all have faults and lacked something in their relationship with God. These seven churches would backslide, suffer persecution, need to repent, have false prophets, fall asleep, and be lukewarm. How many of us suffer through this on a monthly, maybe weekly, basis? How many times do we catch ourselves so far away from our walk with Christ that we are taken aback and long to press the reset button?
The church is referred to as the lampstand because it serves, not to create, but to display the light. Hebrews 3 provokes us to spread this light into the darkness, for once we have witnessed the light we must not harden our hearts. How much longer shall we remain on standby as we see those around us disappear without having accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour? How selfish would it be for us to hold the keys to heaven and not share it with those around?

Like the seven churches, God gives us a chance to repent of our sins and re-join Him on the walk that we had strayed away from. We must encourage each other daily whether at work or on campus to come closer to God. Whatever may be the circumstance, the arms of God are always open to embrace his children.


PRAYER


Heavenly Father, help us to bear witness to the light wherever You
have placed us.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Is it enough for us to say that we have been saved, as we watch our brothers and sisters fall around us?

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