“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
You know, as I left 2023 and entered 2024, I did a great deal of reflecting. I reflected on conversations I had. I reflected on areas I could improve, mistakes made, challenges faced, obstacles overcome, achievements, blessings, how God continued to show Himself strong, where I’d like to grow in the coming year, and so on…
I said hello and goodbye to some people. I had fruitful and not-so fruitful conversations. I learned a great deal about myself, others, and most importantly, God.
One thing that I feel like I had taken for granted, having grown up in the church, is that God is still calling people. He calls and speaks to people that may not even know Him. I met someone at the end of 2023 who shared that he, contrary to how I was raised, was raised to not go to church. Still, God called him. God called him in such a way that he knew it was God. He made a vow to attend church. He purchased a Bible, began reading, and seeking God.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”Jeremiah 29:13 KJV
I met another gentleman earlier who had known Christ for quite some time.. He had shared that he had asked a pastor friend: Does God actually speak? He didn’t like the answer he had received. As the response was filled with contempt and unbelief. I later asked, if he had received his answer, and I shared my views. He had concluded that yes, God speaks, we just don’t listen, or pay attention, often.
We as the church must remember to not become complacent. There are many who are hungry. Many who are seeking. We are to be set apart, a city on a hill. I think about the Ethiopian Eunuch whom Philip met along the way on the road to Gaza in Acts 8:
“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And like a lamb dumb before his shearer, So opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: And who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:30-39 KJV
*Original image courtesy of MF☀️🌺
On the Outside Looking In 
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