Today’s Blog: What is Your Basket?
TODAY’S PROVERB: The light of the righteous shines brightly. The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. Proverbs 13:9, TLV
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.”
YESHUA (JESUS) SPEAKING TO CROWD ON MOUNTAINSIDE, 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? 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, 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 remain with that!
With the COVID-19 virus in the news and on social media, it’s easy to fall into the basket of fear. But, it is a choice to huddle into a corner and not get out. As difficult as it may be, we must leave the basket behind. Live in faith and gratitude. And, choose joy.
Is there a basket keeping you from shining brighter in this world? Begin with worship and gratitude, and watch what happens next.
May we shine brightly, my friends.
Proverbs 13:9 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
