Last Sunday at our 10:45am service we sang about shining the light of Jesus 'from the inside out.' In this week's blog post, Sarah Rock-Evans, Ordinand, reminds us of the importance of taking good care of what's on the inside, so there's nothing in the way of that light.
'I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.' John 12:46
A couple of weeks ago I washed my car; it’s not my favourite job and was well overdue so I was rather pleased with myself when it was all done. But then I opened the door to put something away and noticed how grubby it was inside. My car has been used to transport hay, dogs, children with muddy boots and bags of building waste – and the evidence of that is left behind inside! It isn’t terrible but it definitely isn’t clean. My car sparkled on the outside, but not on the inside.
It struck me how that is similar to the way we address our own lives sometimes; we make sure we present a good image externally, but we neglect to take care of our hearts and the thoughts and burdens we carry internally. It can feel scary to think of tackling those darker areas, so we often do our best to ignore them, convincing ourselves we’re O.K. or at least creating a mask that gives the impression that all is well. But hiding these difficult issues away often allows them to fester and grow, creating a barrier between us and God and preventing us from knowing Him completely and receiving the wholeness he wants to give to us.
My car washing incident helped me realise that I need to spend more time just being with God. Often that is only for a few minutes at a time, sitting silently and asking the Holy Spirit to be with me, to help me know Him better, and to highlight things I need to change or turn away from. In that place I find a gentle space to say sorry to God for the things I get wrong and to ask Him to help me live well in His Kingdom.
Can I encourage you this week to find those moments of quiet with God? That might be when you are walking your dog, out in the garden or resting in your home. You might like to talk and pray about these things with a trusted friend, to write your thoughts as a letter to God or think about sharing your reflection with your home group. Or you could take the opportunity for prayer ministry in Church – do speak to myself or Andy our vicar if we can support you in this way.
In John 12:46 Jesus said “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
Through the Cross and Resurrection Jesus has made a way for us to live in the light with Him; let’s keep trusting Him and turning to Him as our compassionate and loving Saviour so we may live with clean hearts.
With blessings, Sarah Rock-Evans Ordinand