As I sat in a camp chair within our tiny cabin porch the other night,
I reflected on our first couple nights “off grid”.
Zip was by my feet, her nose just inches from the fresh air of the screen door.
It was dusk and darkness was closing in. Earlier, as I walked into the woods to approach the cabin, the birds were singing and pats (partridges) were flying up as Zip and I neared their nook. But now, it was dead silence except for the gentle snoring of Russ, deep inside the cabin walls. My eyes were attempting to adjust to the darkness, as the sun drained from the tree-cluttered sky.
As darkness finally overcame dusk, the fireflies began their syncopated dance among the trees. In the distance, I could hear the yipping of a coyote and a neighbor dog, a mile or so away, on the wind.
While watching the fireflies burst their light forth, HOLD IT, and darken, I thought to myself…is that me? Am I like a firefly, bursting with the light of Jesus for some to see at times, and then fade out quickly, never to be seen again?
Is that me? Saved by faith and grace, bold for Christ, but only in short staccato bursts?
I pondered this thought as I watched the fireflies. Soon the darkness and silence took over, causing my head to bob from the weight of the day's chores.
While watching the fireflies burst their light forth, HOLD IT, and darken, I thought to myself…is that me? Am I like a firefly, bursting with the light of Jesus for some to see at times, and then fade out quickly, never to be seen again?
Is that me? Saved by faith and grace, bold for Christ, but only in short staccato bursts?
I pondered this thought as I watched the fireflies. Soon the darkness and silence took over, causing my head to bob from the weight of the day's chores.
As the tiny candle was blown out for the night, and the cabin was immersed in total darkness, my thoughts began to churn. Laying on my sleeping bag, in complete utter "out in the middle of the woods" darkness, I thought I must let my light shine.
However, it isn't up to me.
As I die to myself,
Christ will fill me and I will become like a cracked pot,
or perhaps a firefly...
with light shining through…God willing.
Matthew 16:24-25
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples,
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:
and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
Until tomorrow, truly God willing.
