I began reading the book Twinkle yesterday by Elisa Morgan. It's one that's been on my bookshelf waiting patiently for me. I realized that in all of the frenzy of studying for my big test this week, I have been spiritually starving myself and I decided that no matter how well or hard I study, if I don't remember to pray first and to spend my time with God each day, I won't be as prepared as I should be by Saturday because God is my biggest motivator and supporter. So first I will share a passage from the book that I absolutely loved, and then my prayer from this morning. And no matter how busy you might be or how much might be pending on your to-do list today, I just want to remind everyone that this is the time to prepare your hearts for Jesus coming. That no matter how important everything else might seem, above all else now is when we must get alone with God and ask him to fill our hearts with his knowledge, love and grace so we might truly enjoy the joy of the Christmas season.
There was once a dark cave, deep down in the ground underneath the earth and hidden away from view. Because it was so deep in the earth, the light had never been there. The cave had never seen light. The word "light" meant nothing to the cave, who couldn't imagine what "light" might be.
The one day, the sun sent an invitation to the cave, inviting it to come up and visit.
When the cave came up to visit the sun it was amazed and delighted because the cave had never seen light before, and it was dazzled by the wonder of the experience.
Feeling so grateful to the sun for inviting it to visit, the cave wanted to return the kindness and so it invited the sun to come down to visit it sometime, because the sun had never seen darkness.
So the day came, and the sun came down and was courteously shown into the cave.
As the sun entered the cave, it looked around with great interest, wondering what "darkness" would be like. Then it became puzzled, and asked the cave, "Where is the darkness?"
Twinkle is about figuring out what kind of light you are, be it a flashlight or a pen light or a spotlight or whichever kind of light you choose, and encouraging us to be lights wherever we are. It reminded me of the song from my childhood, "This little light of mine," and I realized I haven't been letting my little light shine. Have you? Today is the day :)
Here was my prayer from this morning.
Dear Lord,
I wonder what you think of our frenzy and our long lists and our weariness. Help me to hear and accept your invitation to come away and rest awhile with you. Lord I know you are the only way I will have confidence and not be weary this week. Remind me you’re at my side, you’re on my side and that you will help me to do my best. I ask that I will be reminded these next four weeks that it is advent, that I am preparing my heart for the arrival of your Son, Jesus. And not to forget that although all of the other things going on are important, nothing is as important as preparing my heart and kneeling before you. I ask that I might twinkle, as a flashlight or a pen light. I ask that I might have my eyes opened to exactly what kind of light I am. Lord I thank you for your amazing grace, your kingdom of grace. After church yesterday I realized that the LSAT and law school are kind of like the kingdom of google that the pastor was speaking about … so many performance based criteria to be allowed entrance. And I’m just grateful Lord for you, that I don’t have to pass a test or fill out an application to be granted entry into your kingdom of grace. Remind that that is the ultimate acceptance letter I could be given (and have already received!) in these next few weeks. Please forgive me for not counting on you more, for not spending enough time with you each day Lord. Help me to make time for you, for those I love and to study. Help me prioritize with you first.
Thank you, Lord for your encouragement.
Amen.
