You Can Turn On The Lights
I have lived in my house for more than 10 years. Over that time, there have been many nights that I have had to walk from room to room at night for one reason or another.
This endeavor is always risky though. With four imaginative kids in the house, you never know when the lay of the land may have changed. Someone may have placed a garrison of dinosaurs in the middle of the hallway, lovingly displayed their pokemon card collection on the living room floor, or built a scaffolding of legos by a bedroom door.
I always get nervous when we watch spy movies. My kids may get the idea to INTENTIONALLY lay out tripwires and boobie traps. If I ever come to church with a broken arm...you will know why.
Sometimes, when I go stumbling through the house in the dark, Jairus will generously & wisely (if a bit groggily) call out, “...you can turn on the light…”
This Sunday, Kyle talked about how one of the best ways to proclaim & demonstrate the gospel is by loving one another well. He quoted, “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.” (1 John 1:4)
Yet, loving one another is so hard sometimes.
We get caught up in gossip. We are quick to take offense. We get worn out and short-tempered. And when we are hurt by others, we are quick to jump back in the rut of contempt and resentment rather than taking the high road of forgiveness and prayer.
When I say “we” I mean me. I have been known to do all of those things.
Just a few pages earlier, John wrote, “If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.” (1 John 2:9-10)
I don’t know about you, but when I read these verses and then realllllllly read them, my stomach did a little flip-flop. Because, while I wouldn’t say I “hate” anyone, I am certainly not always acting in love.
And then, our Heavenly Father, in all of His kindness, gently reminds me… “you can turn on the light…”
So I ask, “How, God? How can I turn on the light and be more loving toward Your people. Help me find the light”
Thankfully, Ephesians 4 is packed with answers to that question:
Always be humble and gentle (v4)
Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love (v4)
Build one another up using your gifts (v11-12)
Speak the truth in love (v15)
Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes (v23)
Use your hands for good work & give generously (v28)
Use your voice to encourage (v29)
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior (v31)
Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (v31)
That’s a long list. Some of them seem easy, others seem downright impossible.
So that’s where I’m starting.
This week I am actively forgiving people that I have held icky feelings toward. I am letting go of the attitude I had toward them, and I’m letting go of the need to be understood or justified. I’m turning on the light, so I will no longer be stumbling around in darkness.
-Randi
Randi Banning is married to Jairus, and they live in Cortland with their four children. Randi serves on the Regen Oversight Team and co-leads the Regen Care Team.
