Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 031 An Illuminated Life
Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast
Episode #031 – An Illuminated Life
Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective.
As I work on this podcast, I am in awe of the work and blessings God has shined in my life over the last two weeks. Our family has had some challenges. But God carried us through every one of them.
Does that mean we are now free of hardships or obstacles? Certainly not. But each time God graces us with provisions for one of them, we are strengthened and reminded of His ever-present goodness in our life, whether we recognize it at the time or not.
Last night I spent time just sitting at God’s feet. As I reflected over events of the day, I thanked Him for several opportunities that proved He was with me, and with my family. I had encountered a few opportunities where I could have easily grown frustrated or fearful over the last 24 hours, but God never let my mind travel there. He brought quick resolutions to my every need. I was so thankful for all of it that I simply had to sit and be with Him, thanking and praising Him. Mostly, I just wanted to be in His presence.
Do you make time to rest in Him and simply sit at His feet?
The year 2020 has been filled with challenges for everyone. We have been provided countless moments to fall in front of the Lord. I don’t know anyone who has not been affected by events taking place this year. Regardless of where your opinion sits on the multitude of issues we have seen, the truth stands that it has been a year for each of us to evaluate ourselves and where we stand with God. Our relationship with Jesus reveals and affects everything about us.
How have the 2020 changes affected your faith? How have the changes and events affected your mental state? Your health? Your temperament? Your work? Your lifestyle? The way you treat your family? The way you treat others? The way you let others affect you?
I’ve seen so much anger, frustration, bitterness, and misunderstandings on social media. Why? I believe it is because everything goes back to the condition of our hearts. When we don’t know Jesus, we can’t show Jesus. When we do know Him, however, the responsibility is high. We must be the light that flickers into the spirit of those around us in a very dark world. That light is not lit by our power, but by the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit living inside us. Jesus inside our flesh.
We must slow down and rest in Him before reacting to the chaos of this world.
Luke 8:16-18 says, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Do you know what one of the best lessons I have learned from facing an obstacle was? Besides watching God work, that is. It has been being able to share with others what He has done in my life and helping them to rest in Him.
One of favorite things to do is share God stories. Because the Holy Spirit is alive inside of me, the light of Jesus should illuminate everything about me. Because of my weak and sinful flesh, I do not always shine Him the way that I should, but each moment I endeavor to let Him have His will over me.
All of us can, and should, be doing better. If Jesus is alive inside us, we need to allow Him to spread through everything we do and are. It is our duty to allow Him to radiate His light through us and reach others. Our joy through Him should be made public, not be hidden in any way. We should attract others to Him because of the peaceful radiance they feel and see emanating through us. We must seek to use the opportunities we receive to rest in God’s arms or lay at His feet as the foundation for serving Him well and bring others to Him because of them. Simply doing for God is not what I mean. We must allow Him to react within us and guide our fears, passions, needs, desires, and actions.
If we do not apply what He has provided to and for us as a way to spread Him to others who do not know Him, or to those who need encouragement and reminders of His strength and provision, we have shoved the light under the bed or placed a cover over it. When we utilize the spiritual muscles God is growing in us to lift those around us up to Him, we become stronger in our own faith. Just like exercising, our faith can grow weak and out of shape when we do not remember to allow God to penetrate every area of us and work to mature our trust and faith in Him daily.
As we allow Christ to work in us, we develop a mind and spirit that links to His. We understand and appreciate even more of what Jesus is, and has done, for us. He enables us to mature a deeper fellowship with Him and gives us boldness in sharing Him with others. In contrast, when we do not allow Him to work in us and we do not seek a growing relationship, our communication weakens, similar to an unused muscle left to atrophy.
I believe this has been the year to make certain we boldly stand for Christ, allowing His light to shine in proper and authentic ways. If others seek to tear us down, criticize, or complain, we must pray for them. When we hear others criticize our president, for example, regardless of what our opinion of him is, we should pray for Him and the person speaking poorly of him. I was extremely saddened this week when I saw on social media that when the President Trump lost his brother, people tweeted that the wrong Trump died. When did our country turn so boldly evil and hateful?
God has authorized specific people to be in power. His word clearly instructs us in Romans 13:1-2 to “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
When the light exists in us and is powered by the One true light source by our faithful and true relationship with Jesus, there is no room or excuse for darkness. We must repent as individuals and as a nation, lay at His feet, soaking in His love, light, strength, and guidance to continue moving through a world increasingly corrupt. We are not without hope. We just have to claim His and believe it, then move boldly forward in it without excuse or relying on our feeble strength.
Are you ready?
What are the best ways to move forward shining His light in the way He desires?
1. Know Jesus as Savior.
2. Read God’s word.
3. Seek Him and deepen your walk and relationship with Him.
4. Ask God to illuminate your mind with His truths.
5. Pray to God for your relationship with Him to be healthy and pure.
6. Pray for others, especially those who hurt you and anger you.
7. Repeat each step – every day.
Each one of us, myself included must truly stop and make time for what is important.
Merciful Heavenly Father, please help us. Remind us daily to look Up to You. For You are the One we must rely on. Everything in this world that we believe to be important will fade away and You will be left standing on the throne we bow to. God, let us feel the urgency and act on it by allowing You to direct and carry us through each moment in ways that shine and reflect Your love, strength, truth, and compassion. Let our hearts and minds suffer for what pains You and recognize and move in the ways You uniquely call us to, allowing You to act through us, giving us the words and abilities needed. Lord, our time here is short. Help us remember that and truly live each day with an eternal perspective that drives us to You and brings others with us.
Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Right now, because this podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help them find it by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media or word of mouth. Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.