"I know Him!!!!!!"

If you've seen the movie, 'Elf', you'll know about Buddy's love and obsession with Santa and Christmas. Everywhere he goes, he makes it look like Christmas, decorating the place way more than any of us would or could be able to. And with that, this post just took on more than I intended.

In the scene where the manager of the toy shop makes the announcement that Santa will be coming the next morning, Buddy loses it completely. He is so excited that Santa is coming that he bursts out in exclamations that he knows him. If you're not familiar with it, here's a quick clip from the scene I'm referring to:

Buddy has spent time with Santa. He knows what he likes and dislikes. He knows how he operates. He knows how he runs his workshop. Buddy knows Santa. He knows him intimately. And it shows in his excitement that he knows him. He passionately says, "I know him!" Buddy has a personal relationship with Santa.

Do I know Christ like Buddy knows Santa? Do I know what He likes and dislikes? Do I know how He operates? Do I know how he prefers His world to run? Do I know Him intimately?

And if I do know Jesus, does it show in my emotions? Do I get excited when I hear someone talking about the Jesus that I know? Do I passionately let others know that I know Him? Do I have that personal relationship with Jesus in which I can honestly say, "I know Him! I know Him so intimately and deeply and personally"?

The next thing I mentioned in the beginning of this post is how Buddy makes it look like Christmas everywhere he goes. This is nothing I intended to put in this post. But, here is it. And it is applicable for me as a Christian. 

Buddy is an elf. I'm a Christian. Buddy loves Christmas. I love Christ's Kingdom. Buddy brings Christmas wherever he goes. Do I bring Christ's Kingdom wherever I go? Buddy spreads Christmas cheer ("The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear"). Do I spread Christ's light? Do I bring all that represents Christ to those around me? Buddy left rooms changed, because of all his decorating. 

Do I leave places changed because of spreading the light of Christ? Do I spread the aroma of Christ wherever I go?

Who knew that watching 'Elf' would bring about so many deep, spiritual questions to reflect upon. 

I'm glad it has, though. I want to be like Christ as much as is possible. I want to know Him as much as is possible. And I want others to know Him. 

Do you know Him? He wants to know you. 

Following the Light

Never have I been so thankful for those reflectors separating the two lanes of traffic on the road as I was tonight.

As I began my 30 minute drive home from Bible study tonight, I felt a bit nervous. It was exceptionally dark and rainy, and my headlights aren't the brightest in the shop. But, as I began driving, I focused on those yellow reflectors, allowing them to guide me as to where the road was taking me. My nervousness gave way to confidence. The headlights from oncoming vehicles didn't bother me much, either, because I could still see the light. And the light shines brightest in the dark.

That is, until I turned down a road that lacked those reflectors. Then I grew quite cautious as I slowly made my way down the dark road. Any headlights from oncoming vehicles momentarily blinded me, causing me another moment of blindness after they passed, as my eyes adjusted back to the darkness from the flash of bright light. It was scary. I was afraid of losing control in the moments I couldn't see where the road was going. How I longed for those reflectors!

As I drove, God revealed to me that when I'm following Him, the Light, my way is illuminated, and I can go confidently down the path He has lit for me. When I'm following Him, any blinding lights that come from the opposite direction don't bother me, because I can still see the Light.

But, when I'm not following Christ, I walk in darkness. In the dark, it's easy to lose my way; to lose control. And the blinding lights that come at me, they cause confusion and insecurity, because I can't see where I'm going. They, too, can cause me to lose control and to lose my way.

I know that those little reflectors aren't lights. They just reflect the light. I'm so thankful that Jesus reflects the Father, the true Light. Jesus is the Light of the world. And I'm going to follow the Light all the way home.

Sun-Dried, Sin-Dried

I recently started eating plant-based foods, refraining from animal and dairy products. It's been quite an adventure! I have found a lot of foods that I love, including sun-dried tomatoes. They're my absolute favorite-so delicious!

I've been sharing my meals and recipes on Facebook and in texts to friends. When I try to type 'sun-dried', my fingers must hit the wrong button, because it reads 'sin-dried'. My typo struck me as significant the first time I saw it, and it has hit me every time since.

Am I sin-dried? Has sin so dried me up that I'm delicious to my enemy? Scripture says in 1 Peter 5:8 that our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Do I look enticing to him?

Am I so sin-dried that I can't absorb anything from Jesus? Another question I ask is, "What has sin dried up in me?" What is it God has put in me that sin has dried up, so that I'm not useful to the Kingdom of Light?

I'm not sure about sun-dried tomatoes, but I'm thankful that this sin-dried person can be re-hydrated by God's mercy, forgiveness, and love. First John 1:9 says that, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." In Psalm 32:1-5, David says in vs. 4 that his 'strength was sapped as in the heat of summer' when he kept silent about his sin. He was sin-dried. But, in vs 5, he says, 'Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." And you forgave the guilt of my sin.' He was all dried up by sin, but when he confessed, he was re-hydrated by Christ's forgiveness.

The good news is that this can be our same reality today. So, are you sin-dried? Ready to be re-hydrated? If so, turn to Jesus today. He's waiting with arms open wide.