Devotion: I can do all things through Christ

I was on a British Airways flight from London to Denver, Colorado a few years ago. Driving to the airport I was excited about the trip and also a bit concerned, as it was a rather grey rainy day. It was about noon but it was as dark as 6 pm in the winter. I wondered what the flight would be like, as I really hate turbulence.

Anyway, a couple of hours later we had boarded and the flight had taken off. As we began the climb to our cruising altitude the plane started to shake. Not in a dramatic way, but in a way that would make anyone who is afraid of flying lightly clutch their armrest and subtly look around to take cues from other passengers. As I was sitting in a window seat I looked out and it appeared as if the windows were crying, as fat raindrops rapidly slid down the glass. I wasn’t looking forward to sitting on the plane for the next 9 hours. But just a few minutes later (we were definitely still over the UK) as we continued to climb it got even darker when suddenly we burst through the clouds into the brightest sunshine!

The lady sitting next to me (who I, later on, found out was a nun), looking out the window, turned to me and said ‘the sun is always there.’ Wow! That definitely made me think. She said ‘the sun is always there’, I knew she meant the sun, but my mind went to the Son – the Son of God. No matter how dark it gets, the Son is always there.

Living on the outskirts of London, events over the past 3 months can cause someone to question the plans and presence of God. We’ve experienced 4 terrorist attacks, as far as we know at least 100 people including children have died in an avoidable fire because of selfish and wicked decisions made by people at various levels of influence. Politically, we don’t even know exactly where we stand, as the government appears weak, the economy is not as strong as it used to be and people are scared. But through it all, we serve the God who rules and reigns in the affairs of men.

Philipians 4:13 is a familiar scripture telling us that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. Despite the uncertainty and turmoil of this perilous world, we can live. We can love. We can have joy. We can serve God wholeheartedly without fear, knowing that His will must be done. He is our strength and shield. No matter how dark it gets, the Son is always there and will be our light if we will look to Him always and put our trust and confidence in Him.

Ufuoma Daniella Ojo is a Software Training Manager and Personal Performance Coach.

Shedding Light

Just as there are some people who make you feel good about yourself, there are others who, without saying a word, diminish you just by the type of person they are. Someone I know is extremely enthusiastic involved in community activities, friendly and talks easily to anyone. Yet I find this person so over the top that I am overwhelmed and end up shrinking in on myself whenever they are around. It’s not that I don’t like this person. I do and wish I could be more like her. It’s not the way God meant us to be, comparing ourselves with others. Yet she makes me feel inadequate. And it’s not even a conscious decision on my part. It just happens whenever we are in close proximity. Inadequacy and inferiority rears their ugly heads. It’s like this person sucks all the life and light out of me.

When it comes to light I admit to a fascination with lighthouses. Not that I would like to live in one. I’ve read a couple of books about it and it feels like an isolating experience. But there’s something about the whole concept of a lighthouse shining light into the darkness and being a beacon and warning to sailors of the dangers in the sea that presents a beautiful picture. Here is a photo of a lighthouse taken on a recent trip further down the south coast.

 

When I read the words of Jesus where He says ‘I am the light of the world,’ I tend to picture a lighthouse, standing tall and strong and straight, guiding people on the way with its shining light.

 

I’ve read a couple of books recently which have been amazing and yet disappointing in some ways. Largely in the language used and the way characters are presented.  While the story lines were interesting, it was a challenge to read books where the morals and language go against what I believe in.  However if the story line is compelling enough I will persevere despite my own reservations. That doesn’t stop me from commenting about what I perceive to be those negative aspects in a review though. You can find my reviews at Goodreads. This is one such review http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17622847-three-hours-late?ac=1 and sometimes I post reviews on my blog. http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale/Other believers may choose a different option. They may choose to read only Christian fiction or only nonfiction. But none of us should stand in judgement on another believer if they choose differently.

When it comes to my own writing, I believe I am called to present a different perspective to that presented by the world. That doesn’t mean writing sugar coated stories where no-one has any problems, but writing realistically about the world and providing some hope. Those who are called to be followers of Jesus are called to be different. Therefore what we choose to write about and the way we write it is also called to be different, like a lighthouse shining a beacon in the darkness. Would you agree? What are you doing to shine a light in the darkness of this world?

Streets on a Map, is now available from Amazon as an E book. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=streets+on+a+map+by+dale+harcombe Dale has had seven children’s books and Kaleidoscope a collection of poetry published. She has also written bible studies and Sunday school lessons. For several years she wrote about Christian living, marriage and home related topics More information about Dale can be found at www.daleharcombe.com or on her Write and Read with Dale blog  http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale/