"The Canvas of Darkness"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"The Canvas of Darkness"

   

   In a generation of much spiritual darkness, born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ possess the capacity to glimmer ever more brightly against the backdrop of unbelief and rebellion against God and His truth.

   "The Light shineth in darkness" (John 1:5).

   

   Sometimes the moon appears in the daytime sky.  The image, however, is far less vivid than the appearance made possible against the nighttime canvas that most presents the moon in its reflective beauty.  In similar manner, Christians do well to be concerned and grieved about the cultural trends of these days our Lord prophesied would come (II Timothy 3:1-4).  However, we do God, ourselves, and others no favors when we allow concern and grief to become the dominant influences of our sensibilities.  We must instead remember that opportunity always awaits us in the midst of trouble, even as the greatest darkness of all - the cross of Calvary - became the basis for our redemption into the light of God.   "The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18).

   We shine by our life and our testimony.  Our countenance, demeanor, attitude, and actions all declare the Lord Jesus and His truth in a powerful expression that reveals Christ in ways that cannot be disputed.  As the old saying suggests, "Preach the Gospel wherever you go.  Use words when necessary."  We do not always have opportunity to bear direct verbal witness of our Lord's saving grace.  But we can always bear vital witness by our life, thus paving the way for those times when we do proclaim by testimony the Gospel of Christ.  And again, in times such as these, both ways of "preaching" stand in sharp contrast to the cultural norms and trends of a wayward generation.

   We cannot help but be disturbed by these days of darkness.  We must nevertheless seek and seize the opportunity they offer.  The cross of the Lord Jesus reveals that God often wondrously accomplishes His best when humanity is at its worst.  Little wonder that we sing "Amazing Grace."  Because grace is amazing in its capacity to guide us in Light where no light seems to shine, thereby granting to us the possibility to paint our Lord's portrait by word and deed on the dark canvas of these challenging days.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."

(Matthew 5:16)

Weekly Memory Verse

   The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him."

(Lamentations 3:24-25)

    

  

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