Have an Open House!

One of the good things in this life is the celebration of achievements. How wonderful as in this season we are able to go to weddings where true love is celebrated? It is equally wonderful to go to baby showers and celebrate the new life that comes from that love. Another shining accomplishment is to attend an "open house". A time when a couple have worked hard to enter into a commitment to purchase their own home, and then they invite family and friends to share in their joy. That feeling of joy is what God has when we allow Him to put our  lives on display before the world:

"Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (The Message)
 

What a privilege we have to shine as "light-bearers" of the priceless light that God sheds upon mankind. With our lights we have opportunity to reflect all the colors of HIs love. We have the distinct honor of being put on parade before an unbelieving world to show to others the grace and the glory of God. 

Because the enemy of our soul knows this, he is always trying to get us to do one of two things: either make us feel as if we have to shine in our own strength, or get us to come off the lamp stand because our human frailties show too much. God is concerned with neither of these deceptions. He is well aware that we are "but dust" – His master plan for mankind does not hinge on our perfection – it hinges on His love. He also does not need us to be superstars as if by receiving Him we somehow gain greater power than anyone else to live a completely sin-free life. He wants us to just be HIs children – washed from our sins, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk out a new life, that though it will sometimes seem to falter, will be in tune with their God to know when sin crouches at the door of their heart, and repent and trust God to "perfect those things that concern them.

We have a God who will put the strangest people on parade and say they are My heart: remember Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, David, and a host of others that keeps expanding to include even me.

Maria