Jesus is the light so I'm gonna let Him shine

“The man who is asleep does not care what becomes of his neighbors; how can he while he is asleep? And oh! Some of you Christians do not care whether souls are saved or damned… It is enough for them if they are comfortable. If they can attend a respectable place of worship and go with others to heaven, they are indifferent about everything else.” (Spurgeon)

Though darkness spreads - so can the light.  For too long my little light hide under a bushel. Now I will shine everywhere I go. Won't let Satan blow it out. No! There are so few on the road it is quite narrow. Woe to you with divided attention and hearts that do not see the path to take. Let me help you from damnation - simply hear the words of the lord! 

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [Matthew 7:13 ESV]

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' [Matthew 7:21-23 ESV] 

(AI is truly changing this world quickly)

The flax that produces a smoke follows with light and where there is light there is fire! (credit to the Puritan Sibbes for that gem of a connection) This is true for I live the experience.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. [Matthew 12:20 KJV]

The flames dance inside me for I have embraced the Helper by way of faith in the fires of affliction. Do I even smell like smoke? Ha! Nope! He is that good and that powerful brother. Read about it here. What would it take for you to have this kind of faith? 

This is the God I serve though I sought my own blessings before. Whom do you call master? The fleeting things of this world? What a con in the long game for its joys are but a taste of what is to come. You think the mountains on this place is awesome? What about version 2.0 where no tear is shed!  

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. [Isaiah 65:17 KJV]

Wakey wakey Christian fakey! You know the truth - why do you not proclaim it boldy when our neighbors and coworkers salvation is at stake! For you are asleep. Best not be sleeping when the earth breaks. I will try to wake you with all my focus and will. For who else will step up!? Though I do not yet have my feet fully equipped I begin to build the strength I will need to share truth in love. Something I have not always been good at but I strive to improve upon it. 

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. [1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 ESV]

Though none go with me still I will follow. I was made to shine and so be a light I will. The lampstand is filled with oil and there is plenty to share for it flows from the limitless pools of heaven above. You yourself must choose it. Will you shine brightly with me? This world is rather drab if we do not live in light:

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:4-5 ESV]

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [1 Peter 2:9 ESV] 

Truly I have been transformed for my mind is renewed. Is it even my own? I wonder for all else of this world is so much more dim than thoughts of heaven to come. Perhaps an escape from grief at times but I welcome it. Does it not say this is how we are to think? 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. [Romans 12:2 NASB20] 

Finally, brothers [and sisters,] whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [Philippians 4:8 NASB20] 

We should rejoice, pray, and give thanks - what holds you back? Or grabs your heel? A: The flesh and the devil does. Resist and you shall overcome. 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. [1 Thessalonians 5:2, 16-24 ESV]

I burn quite passionate these days and enjoy taking time to grow in my faith; journaling has been part of working out my faith. I am unquenched and so now I aim to yoke with Christ and the Church.

Truly, I have come full circle on the feeling wheel. Fear, love and joy in Christ has expelled the surprise, anger and sadness. I will anchor to the Rock of Ages. I know myself too well to do anything else: 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [Galatians 5:16 ESV]

I am eager for the snake to not harass with bites of venom; I pray His kingdom come! (what if we all did that? I implore your brother and sister to do so for it changes your perspective when you do so regularly)

The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. [Isaiah 11:8 ESV]

P.S. I need to find some training in greek/hebrew; blue letter bible is powerful tool but I fumble around as a novice. Also maybe I get a snake to remind me of the fall? Have always been interested in having a tropical species to add to my room of jungle 'hevel'... although I already have too many reminders of what is to come adding more is futile. Eleven could cause trouble with a snake around; already bad enough since Tahiti lost her tail. 

I wondered what snake species would eat crickets in the jungle... Oh look, another reminder!   

Tropical snake decline linked to deadly frog disease

How quickly will this all unfold? Meh; best to live as I am called. (sill figuring that out, but I'm doubling down on Jesus Christ, for I did the risk assessment) 

We are to enjoy life too: 

Young people, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. [Ecclesiastes 11:9 NLT]