The light of the righteous shines brightly. The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. Proverbs 13:9, TLV

What Is Your Basket?     Does this proverb remind you of another passage? It reminds me of:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a lampstand, so it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16, TLV [EMPHASIS MINE]

Oh my. So many ways to develop these images, but the one that stands out [pun intended] is that the light represents all the good works our Heavenly Father does through us.

Why wouldn’t we want to stand tall and shine? Perhaps, there are things that cause us to hide under a “basket” and not be those lights in a dark world.

What Is Your Basket?

What is your basket? My basket is fear. Lots of different fears: fear of confrontation, fear of “man,” fear of stepping out in faith. Fear is a big basket because its root is doubt. It covers God’s light in us.

If I’m focused on the LORD, then I can stand against that fear. But I’ve noticed that when I’m tired or too focused on my own concerns I will give in to fear. Because, when I’m attentive to the LORD, I’m in a place of gratitude and joy. No basket can suppress that light!

With the challenges in this world, it’s easy to fall into the basket of fear. But it is a choice to huddle into a corner and not come out. As difficult as it may be, we must leave the basket behind. Live in faith and gratitude. And choose joy.

Think More About It

Is there a basket keeping you from shining brighter in this world? Begin with worship and gratitude and watch what happens next.

Until tomorrow, may we shine brightly so that the world may see our Father’s good works through us, my friends.

Please continue to pray for Israel that no basket will suppress the Light of Yeshua! God bless you and Shabbat Shalom!