Steady Light

I want to burn as a steady light

never waning.

I want a flame that maintains its glow
in the darkest of nights,
the coldest of days.
I want a warmth that draws others in
never excluding.
My fuel is constant
never emptying.

My source is powerful

in the driest of hours,
the bleakest of moments.
My source is Jesus
always full,
always flowing.
May my life, my heart be a pleasing aroma to You, Lord.

“Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning." Exodus 27:20

Who Knows You?

It is a rather telling question, or maybe a telling answer.

Oftentimes, people name-drop, place-drop, knowledge-drop, etc. I'm not sure why, other than we might feel a bit more important if those around us think we know someone personally. There have been times during conversations, where I feel like I want to make it known that I know the one being discussed or lauded. Why? Pride, I reckon. yuck. I realized this week that it is meaningless for me to lay claim to knowing someone special. What matters more is whether or not that person knows me. I know the president; fine, does he know you? I know Jesus; great, more importantly, does He know you? There's a reason why He warns us so clearly of this truth...
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23

May we desire Him with our whole hearts, seeking Him now, this day. This matters more than anything else. Jesus matters more than anyone else. May we know Him like sheep know their shepherd; may He know us like a Shepherd knows His sheep.

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15