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3 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. 4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. 5 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. 6 It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. (2 Corinthians 4:3-6 The Message Bible)
A blessed Tuesday to you, dear Friend. May the Lord bless us with grace and peace and the knowledge that we belong to Him and that we should love one another.
Yesterday evening, Nellie and I watched a movie called "Play the Flute." It hit home because the message of this passage was the message of this movie. It is about a youth pastor who struggles to connect with his kids and in getting his kids to connect with God. The kids in his youth group were living out the first verse, verse 3, they were "looking or going the wrong way," and truly "refuse(s) to give it (the gospel message) serious attention." The movie is on Netflix and I highly recommend it.
Paul shares a frustration of all Christian workers and preachers; we want the whole world to know Jesus but the whole world is not interested. As this modern version says it, "All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see." Ouch. This being the Sunday that The Transfiguration is celebrated, the image of the bright light of Christ can only shine in those hearts receptive to Him; not until they open their hearts will they see all the Lord has to offer to us. Just as the disciples couldn't fully comprehend the transfiguration until their understanding was ready, the "light of the message" may sometimes seem veiled in our daily lives. This doesn't diminish its brilliance; it simply reminds us that our perception might be clouded by worldly concerns and anxieties. Just like on the mountaintop, a shift in perspective is needed to truly see the light.
As messengers of Christ, we are called to reflect His light in a world shrouded in darkness. Our lives serve as a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, bearing witness to the reality of Christ's resurrection and the hope it brings. Like mirrors, we are to reflect the radiance of Christ's love, grace, and truth, illuminating the hearts and minds of those around us.
Just as the disciples were transformed by the glorious sight of Christ's transfiguration, so too are we called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, as we behold the beauty and majesty of Christ revealed in the Scriptures. Through prayer, study, and fellowship, may we open our hearts to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, allowing His light to shine brightly through us, leading others to encounter the living Christ. What can we do? We can carve out space for reflection and prayer, asking that God shift our perspective and unveil the light within so that others can see. We should be mindful of worldly distractions that might cloud our vision and hinder our ability to see the light of God's message in us and others. We should exercise our spiritual practices of prayer, study, and service, and seek Christ's presence in our daily life. Finally, don't wait for mountaintop moments to share our light; let our everyday actions of love and compassion, be a testament to the presence of Christ's love within us.
PRAYER: Loving Lord, open our hearts to receive the light of your message, not just on mountaintops, but in the midst of our daily lives. Help us recognize the veils that obscure our vision and fan the flame of your love within us. May our words, actions, and very presence radiate your glory, transforming the world around us, one small act of kindness at a time, in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Let your daily life be a testament to the extraordinary power that Christ Jesus has placed in us.
I love you and thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
