Let There be Light!

Proverbs 15:15 & 30 (New International Version)
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.

Tonight at our cell group, on the DVD we were watching, something Dr. Del Tackett said, grabbed my attention. He was talking about a time when his son opened a closet door.

"Stop!" he said to his son, "Do that again."

His son must have thought he'd taken leave of his senses, but he opened the door again.

"That's it," yelled Del, "See? It's light in the closet."

He went to the closet, got inside and closed the door. It was dark. He opened it and the light flooded in.

The zany behaviour was all because Del saw something profound in that moment: Darkness does not overtake light, but light overtakes darkness. The darkness in the world will shrivel before the blaze of light if only we shine brighter.

There is another applicaton of that thought. For days I've been thinking of a different kind of "light," more along the lines of "keeping things light;" not allowing despair, hopelessness, panic or negativity to gain a foothold, in situations where it would be easy to do so.

I applied Del's analogy to my thoughts on keeping things light, because in that case too, the darkness will be chased away by "light."

This past Saturday, I had an appointment at 8 in the morning with a dental implant specialist who was going to drill into my jawbone as a step in the process of having a tooth implanted in three months time, after it has all healed. Strangely, I was anticipating having fun during the appointment.

At my previous appointment the office staff had urged me to go in my pajamas because of the early hours. "He will love it," they said, referring to Dr. R.

I didn't go in my pajamas, but the visit, as I expected, involved much lighthearted banter and laughter. One of his office staff slept in and didn't show up for work. He suggested to his assistant that they make signs for the person for when they arrived, saying, "Wonderful to see you," and "It's so nice that you came in." We all anticipated her eventual arrival with smiles. It could have been different, with everyone in the office grouchy about it. Instead, I had, as I expected I would, a great time and great treatment.

I've been trying to be more intentional in building lightness into my responses and choosing not to go to basement of my heart with a tough situation. After all, my despair is not going to help change one thing, but my hope and energy; my faith in God, will.

So here's a challenge: Have a light day; you might like it as much as I did; and maybe, like me, you will want to adopt the attitude permanently.

Proverbs 17:22 (New International Version)
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Comments

Meg said…
Thanks, Belinda, for great words. It reminds me of the ta da along with the to do. And I really appreciate the expression about going to the "basement" of your heart about things. As you can see by my blogs, that so often happens with me. You've given me lots to think about.
Belinda said…
Last night on the way back from driving some friends home from cell group, the moon was in the sky, but momentarily obscured by a small dark cloud that drifted across. All around the edges though it was trimmed with silver and I really "saw" a cloud have a silver lining, and I realized that darkness only momentarily gives the illusion of absense of light--I am going forth with a "light heart" and those words mean something deeper to me today. I really, really want to build this into who I am with greater depth.
Joyful Fox said…
Belinda,

Your words bless.

Interesting too, when we lighten the atmosphere with a light heart we represent a light and thus Jesus, who is the light of the world.

This perspective is new and refreshing and one I hope to carry with me.

I'm asking Christ to help me to make it my own today. Life on this earth truly is too short to be so intense all the time.

Bless you friend for this light into my week.
Joyful Fox said…
Belinda,

Your words bless.

Interesting too, when we lighten the atmosphere with a light heart we represent a light and thus Jesus, who is the light of the world.

This perspective is new and refreshing and one I hope to carry with me.

I'm asking Christ to help me to make it my own today. Life on this earth truly is too short to be so intense all the time.

Bless you friend for this light into my week.
Angcat said…
Good and wise words B.,
Sometimes it is a continual decision to be light, to focus on the good and to be thankful. Those decisions change everything. I want to be like this so much and know God is helping me.
Thank you for this reminder and the illustration of the closet from Dr. Tackett.
Love A.
Anonymous said…
Belinda, yes, yes. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Belinda said…
Amen precious friends, my comrades in the Light Brigade!

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