Why doesn’t this lamp work? Something is getting in the way of the conductivity. Perhaps, if we moved it? Checked the wiring? A disconnection would be discovered and ever so gently fixed.
Friends, I lovingly created this lamp and its twin over 25 years ago after bringing its base back from Europe. Scotland, actually. Never having wired anything before, this was a real adventure in creation. I had to find just the right wire and just the right connections to plug it in allowing it to create light. Then, the project of threading the wires, just so, angled in the right way to completely connect all parts together in its journey through the piece. The shade to let just enough light through was another piece of the project.
The base, a Scottish shepherd boy with a bagpipe, reminds me of years spent in a bagpipe and drum band and walking the hills of Scotland. Its twin, a winsome, gentle Scottish maiden reminds me of a younger version of myself taking a walk with the creatures of the field in the meadows.
Both lamps have stayed with me through many moves and adventures. Gently wrapped to stay safe in their journeys.
I feel a lot like this beautiful, yet frayed lamp. Longing to share its light with the world, but with the connectivity just not working right, all the time. God’s light radiantly dwells within me as the Holy Spirit and shines LIGHT from me WHEN I LISTEN and stay focused on Him.
God knows we are sinful and erratic, human beings, not perfect in our ways, yet God loves us completely and eternally and gives unending grace to those that have faith in and Love him. Coming back time and again.
These literal jars of clay, like the figurines of the lamp base, do not project the love and joy of Christ on their own, but through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells inside. Sometimes this world with its deadlines, stoplights, interactions with other beings and distractions tries to disconnect, the light from shining…And is, sad to say, successful as long as we choose to let it be successful.
2 Corinthians 4 says… 5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
We must be open to let God into the heart of our being, feeling the loving beating, fire of the Holy Spirit available to us at any moment. GO deep within. Be awake in all our senses and beyond to Christ’s love in every form imaginable. Focus. God will guide you in a way just for and known only, intimately between you two.
God knows how we are. How to follow the wiring, disconnect from the bits and pieces lying around or fizzling, crackling loudly at us to make us look away.
So, how do we do our part to be open? The ways are too innumerable to count. How do we know how to do our part to stay connected and reconnect? Yes, you will make errors, you are human. But, God loves each piece of clay. You. Priceless and will not give up on you.
Here are some simple suggestions. Try to develop a habit to do these things as you are able as a Child of God in this distractable world.
First, look up and pray, coming close to God. Close out the world for a while. Take a sabbatical*. (Muller, 2000). Whatever is in your heart. God already knows your need. Five minutes, an hour, a week or as long as you are able. He loves every moment spent between you.
Second, look into the pages of the Word of God which is timeless and meant just for you. Just open the Scriptures and read. Let it connect with you. It does, you know. Through the power of the Spirit. If you are open to know, a journal or just reflect. Whatever is on your heart. Talk with a friend or counselor.
Third, look outward. Into the Body of Christ. Your friends, acquaintances, the unending noisy traffic, work, illness and disease, the homeless, or anyone else…, strangers needing and sharing that humanness you have…a smile, a nurse’s touch, a kind salesperson, a phone call you feel the urge to make, a beautiful word written on a page …opening a space in line just for you, an opportunity opens up and there you see it. God’s love. All for you. For each of us.
Not at all easy. Christ is our example. Tough situations seemingly beyond endurance, or so it feels. Seemingly disconnected in Darkness and hurt, losses of friends, loved ones, a job, a change you think intolerable. But the Creator, our intimate Father, is there to reach out to you when you ask. In any shape or form. God can appear to you to provide the strength, the connection you alone need to go on. To Light that world as only you can do. His Son led the way in his human/divine nature, knowing the best way to connect to Light the way for his dearest creation. You.
And finally, focus on the Creation. The world around you. Lovingly created just for you. tenderly, focus on giving back the love, the smile,the soft touch, or kind word, the nutrients filling needs only you can provide. As God sent his Son to teach us how to come alive, to Light the way.
As I make a step forward to work on my beautifully imperfect lamps, I remember I just have started my journey. The solid love of God, faith in the unending grace of God, his forgiveness and mercy that appears and the Holy Spirit Who quietly reaches out nudging me forward to Connect. Keep trying. Peace be with you.
Amen.
© 2023 Bonnie L. Smith-Davis
*Muller, W. (2000). Sabbath. New York City: Bantam Books.
Awakening Light 