Shine Bright!

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19

Earlier this week I was talking to my dear friend Joanna about a troubling situation, she said something has stayed on mind all week. Something to the effect of "those in darkness run from the light". That brought clarity to me about the situation I was dealing with and gave me something to think about.

This morning I woke up thinking about being a light for Christ and what all it means. It means that people will think you're weird and different and they will make fun of you. They will try to find ways to upset, hurt and be mean to you. Because they don't like the light. At church this morning we heard a great message talking about the same thing. When you follow Jesus the world will hate you. You may even be persecuted. The dark world hates the light of Christ.

The closer you draw to the Lord, the brighter your light will shine and the brighter you shine for Him the more the world will hate you. Expect it. Pastor Aaron used an analogy that Mark uses with his football players. Mark always tells the guys "don't worry about it when I'm getting on your case (in practice), worry when I don't because I don't waste my time on those who don't play". Pastor Aaron said almost the same thing but in the spiritual sense "don't be upset when the world persecutes (that means you are doing something for the Lord) but worry when they think you're normal".

I have found that the more I seek the Lord and the more I depend on Him during this trial the brighter my light shines for Him. There will those who run and hide from the light because the darkness hates the light. But you never know, they may just come to know the Lord because of your light.

So Shine Bright!

Waiting

The days waiting for the results of my biopsy were never ending, the seemed to drag on forever! I took the kids to church on Sunday and after the service I found Nicole and shared with her what I knew at that point. She was so loving and kind and encouraging! She called her husband Aaron, the lead pastor over along with Ryan, the music pastor to anoint my head with oil and pray over me. I stood crying over the sincere prayers these practically strangers were interceding on my behalf. (we had just begun attending the church a few months before and hadn't gotten involved. we did have their family over for dinner so we were able to spend some time getting to know them). But in all essence we were strangers who appeared in their church and now were in a huge time of need. Aaron and Nicole Olinski stepped it up and loved on us, prayed for us and organized meals for us and constantly checked on us. We have never felt so much love and support especially from people we had JUST met!