Nougat 2

Hello

Some of us played ‘dress up’ as children; wearing, rather putting on an adult’s clothes – usually without permission – that was sizes too big. Often it would spark laughter, as the visible differences in size was amusing. Today’s Holy Nougat seems to address this issue from a spiritual perspective, but it doesn’t seem as funny in this instance.

“Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.” Luke‬ ‭11:35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You might see it differently, but one of my first thoughts about this text was of Christians who sound as if we’re playing ‘dress up’; that is we appropriate (assume or borrow) the prayer, preaching or scripture reading habits of others. We might not even notice, because it is an unconscious action that over time becomes ingrained. In some cases, folks looking or listening on find us to be ‘fake’. I am sure we can think of one such.

Whereas the act of imitation is not quite the extreme referred to here; it could be the starting point for spiritual misappropriation and even idolatry. For, there are times when it is not a case of simply copying a gesture that seems worthy of emulation; rather it is a mandate from a spiritual leader. Then, the light we claim to carry as Christ-followers might not be The Light of Christ.

So when persons

• drank poison in obedience to their leader Jim Jones,

• gave/give privileges and access to charlatans posing as ministers of the Gospel

• consult mediums, diviners, or those who dabble in occultism

OR

• substitute the teaching of God and God’s Word with alternate teachings of saints, apostles and spiritual leaders;

we are actually holding darkness NOT God’s Light. We just might be playing dress up.

Of course those are the extreme examples. It may be that it begins with a little lie; or feeling a bit inadequate or basking in the glory of others in response to an action; it can (usually) creep up on us very subtly.

We counter such by first inviting God’s Searchlight to reveal the hidden depths of our hearts. Once recognized; we waste no time justifying; rather we get straight to confession and ask for help to overcome. I can’t say enough about our need to zero in on God’s Word so we understand God’s ways and adopt those. And this is a lifetime process.

One step at a time; in close fellowship with God’s Spirit and with humility of a heart yielded to Christ we can avoid ‘dress up’ or carrying the wrong light within. May God’s Light shine in and from us today and always amen.

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May all we seek be found in Christ