This Day in History: 0000-05-06

May 6 – Mark 4:21-25 

Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Then He added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given – and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” 

We’re not meant to live a life unseen by the world around us! God didn’t save us just to hide us away in obscurity, keeping us safe and comfortable until we die and go to heaven. He filled our lives with His glorious light, and we’re meant to shine brightly in this lost and dying world of darkness! 

My friends, the warning here is stern! May we pay close attention!  

Our God IS Light. Nothing is hidden from Him. The secret things we keep buried – He knows all about them. Our selfish desires, our lack of faith, our stubborn rebellion, they’re all going to come into the open one day. If we live in pride, believing we can stay hidden, we’re in for a very rude awakening. It’s going to hurt. 

What’s worse, the longer we stubbornly refuse to submit ourselves to these truths, the greater the danger that we’ll lose what understanding we do have.  

On the other hand, the promise here is as glorious as the warning is stern. If instead, we embrace the truth, there is great reward. As we live in the light, out in the open before God, paying close attention to His words, He has promised to grant us understanding. He’s promised to show us the way. To light our paths.  

So let’s be obedient! Let’s lay ourselves bare before Him and the world. Let’s live in the open, boldly and selflessly allowing His light to shine through us. Let’s seek understanding and listen closely with ears to hear, eyes to see, hearts open to understand, and feet that are quick to obey!