(Picture source at bottom of posting)
You've seen them, those beautiful Christmas tree ornaments that shine light. These ornaments are the ones that, instead of pushing a button to make it light up temporarily, you attach it to one of the light bulbs from the string of lights, so that it shines as long as the light is on. As long as that ornament is attached to the string of lights, it will emit a light. Not its own light, because apart from the string of lights it cannot shine at all. No, it will shine the light of the string of lights, and its unique shape and design will allow it to shine that light in a way no other ornament can.
What would you say if I told you that you are an ornament? This example is very similar to the truth that we an find in the Book of John 15:1-8
I [Jesus] am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit [shine His light] He takes away; and every branch that bear fruit He prunes, that is may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear uch fruit; so you will be My disciples.
(emphasis mine)
So if we break it down, Jesus is that string of lights on the Christmas tree. You, being an ornament cannot be seen without being plugged into Him. Oh sure, maybe in the daylight you can kind of see you, but your beauty shines greatly when you are plugged into Him, and even more so when there is no other light in the room but that of the Christmas tree. No one will see you unless you are plugged into Him. But check it out, while God is glorified when you are plugged into Jesus, you also gain a great benefit, because "you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."
Truthfully, I cannot do this analogy or group of Bible verses justice. I can only present them to you, and hope that you go in search of His truth for yourself. I pray you will seek Him so He will open up this truth fully in your heart. And if you are not plugged into Him, I hope it encourages you to become plugged into Him, because there is honestly no better place to be! (Check out my previous post if you are not plugged into Him, but would like to be).
Other readings:
Matthew 5:13-16
Isaiah 58: 1-10
Song for this post:
Let Your Light Shine (Hillsong Kids)
(A simple song, with a simple message!)
Blessings!
~A
(Ornament picture source: http://inspiringpretty.com/2010/11/30/christmas-decor-using-ornaments/)
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