How's the Lighting?

Houses! I enjoy looking at houses. I like to see the color and material choices inside and out, the landscaping, the different elements chosen (arches, beams, flooring, etc.), the floorplans, the yard - it's interesting to me. Old houses and new houses - they all hold their own intrigue. Yesterday, while driving, I was admiring some of the houses I passed. I noticed one with four or five small, square windows way up high and I thought it would be interesting to see what the lighting was like in that house.

God hit me immediately with the thought that that was what is important in people, too! Yes, the outside might look nice. I might wonder about what a person likes to eat, how they like to dress, what kind of shampoo or toothpaste they use, or any sort of thing like that...

...but what I really want to know is "How's the lighting?"

Have they opened the windows of their soul to allow God to pour His life-giving gifts into their lives? Or have they pulled down the blinds and shut the black-out curtains? Do they open up their Bibles daily to allow Him to speak to them and direct their lives day-by-day and decision-by-decision? Do they have lots of windows, so the light that is inside can also be seen on the outside? Do they walk in the light that He provides or stumble in artificial light? You know, artificial light can be dim, like a candle or single lamp, or blindingly bright, but it simply doesn't compare to His light. It can come from other religious thoughts, the beliefs of one's culture, intellectual media, anything from a perspective other than God's. 

I want to know what is inside a person. Have they decorated the walls of their minds with Scripture? Are there pictures hanging in their heart of people for whom they pray, people for whom they get on their knees, either literally or figuratively, and weep for their salvation, healing, or other needs? Are they allowing God to prepare the meals with which they feed their family, friends, and those with whom they come into contact each day? Do they have a quiet sitting room in which they wait on the Lord, listening for Him to speak? Oh, that still, small voice that can shake the foundations of the house by it's amazing power and yet has the strength to restrain itself when He speaks to the heart of one of His beloved children!

I want to know if they know, love, and follow after Jesus with everything that is in them. That is what is important.

How is the lighting in your life? Is it time to throw open some curtains and raise some blinds, to turn off the lamps and let the true light flow in? Is it time to scoot the piles out of the way so you can sit in quietly in God's presence, so you can hear Him speak? I'm praying for you.

"...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart," (1 Samuel 16:7).

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight (1 Peter 3:3-4).

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven," (Matthew 5:14-16).