It is the time of year when we are inspired to make a new start - new beginnings. Some of those resolutions (I hate that word) are the usual - lose weight, quit smoking, get organized - and will fizzle out by the middle of February. We start off with the best of intentions. We invest money in gym memberships (they call people like me who don't actually go "profit"!) or diet plans, we go shopping at home stores and buy shelving units and tote containers and wait for the happiness to begin. May be if we stepped back and figured out what it was that we were truly looking for we could find happiness in a more realistic place than a gym membership, Jenny Craig or space saving bags.
" The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (Jn.1:5) What if the answer was light? What if the answer to happiness was gaining the ability to shine a light on our darkest places - and place a spotlight on our strengths? I believe that to shine the light into those dark places within us that dwell in the shadows is the only way that the darkness cannot overcome us. If we leave the shadows alone - imagine a dark alley through which you would not walk - they grow and take over the whole city in which we live. The power of the darkness is enormous - if we allow our fears to keep us from them.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it". Imagine looking within yourself and becoming witness to those things that you have hidden. Imagine coming face to face with things from your past that have kept you from moving forward. Some things will have to end. New beginnings cannot happen without mourning the things that we will have to leave behind. Middle school had to end so that we could move to high school. Single life has to end to enter into marriage. New beginnings cannot happen without leaving something behind. But there are events in our lives that we hang on to - and hide them in those shadows. Sometimes the reason that we leave things in the dark places is because we take comfort in our "secrets" or our "memories". The fact that they hold us back from moving forward sometimes is not enough of a motivator to shine the light, but, let the light shine. Monsters only live in the dark. They can only survive in the shadows. When you shine the light on those events - stand witness to your past - you can move forward. Mourn the loss of whatever it was that was holding you back - face the fear lurking there - and then....
Turn the light on what makes you happy. What is it that feeds your soul? Where are you when you are most satisfied? What are you doing when find yourself not looking at your watch and wondering when the next task is? Who are you with? Who is standing beside you - journeying with you? Shine the light on those things. Shine the light - not a dim flashlight but a high amp spotlight - on the thing that makes you uniquely and perfectly you. Stand tall and proud living God's intention for your life.
You were made and God saw that it was good. God gave us the light to shine in the darkness - use that light and let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
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