A light of the world

Matthew 5:14-16  ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Every Sunday Chase and I make the 10.4 mile drive to Mt. Vernon.  Some days we dread the drive, especially when gas in 3.45 and I have less than half a tank.  I'll admit too, some Sunday's we just don't make it.  EVERY Sunday I walk away with something new; a renewed spirit.  A newer, deeper appreciation for God's word and a new inspiration for how I should be living my life.  Key word there...."should."  My goal in life is to be able to say, "hey, I "am" living my life that way."  


We've are doing a series on Discovering Intentional Living.  Living in the way God intended and created us to live.  Living with no regrets and looking back on life and being able to say "man, life was good."  And the main thing:  Being a light for our Savior or as Phillippians 2:3-5 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should the same as that of Christ Jesus."

When God placed Chase and I at Mt. Vernon almost exactly a year ago, I knew he had a plan.  (He always does).  I often times find myself crying (or at least tearing up) during the songs and the sermon.  It'll be from a picture that comes up on the screen, a verse in a song we sing or in something that Pastor James says.  I haven't exactly figured out what that plan is yet, but God is MAJOR working in my life right now.  He's reminding me every week that I'm not living how I should be and I'm not as connected to Him as I should be.  I have such a strong urge to be more knowledgeable in the Word and have a much closer relationship with my heavenly Father.  I'm working on it and it's definitely been a struggle, but it's so worth it!


I am so thankful to be able to listen to K-Love on the radio all the time and anyone who rides in my car will also be listening to this.  The songs are just so powerful and they always seem to tell me what I need to hear at the right time.  God can be a little tricky sometimes when dropping reminders to us.  I also have the EXTREME blessing of working at a Christian establishment.  The owners of Smackers are such amazing examples of Christian living and letting your light shine.  We air the Sirius/XM channel "The Message" through our radio all day and just song after song we are reminded all day of God's greatness and plan for us.  


Now does this mean I'm trying to be perfect?  No way!  I will still get angry over petty things, I will still do things I shouldn't do, say things I shouldn't say.  We are all human and we ALL sin.  I am just so thankful that I have an awesome Lord that has paid the ultimate sacrifice by being nailed to a cross so that I could have forgiveness and live eternally.  When I think of that, I can't help but have "peace like a river."  


Just my thoughts for the day.  I'll leave with my absolute favorite song:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is indeed so amazingly well with my soul!