Lent Day 27 - Grace-Generated Power
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4–5
I have a bicycle in the garage that occasionally sees the light of day. And on this bicycle I have some lights that are powered as I pedal (so they don’t shine very bright!). Called kinetic lights, they transform my feeble efforts into stored energy, which is then used to generate the light. Physics is very cool.
Not so cool is the kinetic energy mindset I often default to in other areas of my life. I keep pedalling hard, believing my own energy, my own efforts and my own stress will be the driving force which keeps my life on track. If I just work harder, dig deeper, turn the pedals faster on another deadline, then I think I can generate enough momentum to get to my destination faster. But this effort doesn’t always shine bright either.
Here’s the truth: we are not the light and we cannot generate the light ourselves. Our hard work and empty striving don’t create light. If we want to shine Jesus’ light, we need to stop trying to create our own! Just as a diamond needs external light to penetrate its interior, in order to then reflect back out, we need Jesus, the light of the world, to be our light source. His light alone has the power to overcome the darkness.
Perhaps some of us need to rest a little longer in his presence before we crack on with the to-do list. We need his light to really permeate into the nooks and crannies of our dusty soul, for his Spirit to cleanse and refill us. And then, as multifaceted people, it will be his light that we reflect back out wherever we are today. Jesus is our never-ending light source and when we are grace-powered, he will always shine through us.
Are you usually kinetic self-powered or Jesus’ grace-powered? Where do you need to trust more and strive less?
Pause. Allow Jesus, the light of the world to shine into every area of your life. Receive his love, as he overcomes your fears, mistakes, worries and rejection.
Like a diamond, you have many facets. What would Jesus’ light shining into your areas of influence look like? Pray for that!
Taken from Digging for Diamonds Devotional by Cathy Madavan
In this 40-day devotional based on the bestselling book Digging for Diamonds, Cathy Madavan encourages us to discover more of the life-transforming treasures of our identity, strength, character and purpose that God has already placed within us.
Each day includes a Bible reading, a devotional thought, questions for reflection and a prayer.
Spend 40 days digging for diamonds and find the treasure hidden in the messiness of life.
Content Benefits: This 40-day devotional guide will help you spend more time in the scriptures, gain a deeper understanding of your unique God-given identity and gifts, and encourage you to live a valuable, purposeful life.
Provides a Bible reading, devotional scriptural reflection, questions and a prayer for each day.
Perfect for quiet times.
Prayer
Jesus, you are the Eternal Light and I thank you that you overcome the darkness and choose to shine through me. Help me to reflect your glory and not my own efforts so that people and places will be transformed by your grace. Amen.