During four summers of my life, I was on staff at a Christian camp in Mississippi. In addition to being a worship leader and activity coordinator, I pulled nightly patrol duty. I was nicknamed “The Green Lantern” because I had a green headlamp I would wear around camp. Rumors circulated that you didn’t want to be caught out of your cabin and see the green light coming towards you. Students were afraid. As I roamed the camp, the light helped me see. Basically its function was simple. It helped me see what was already there.
As Paul prays in Ephesians 1:17, he asks God to open the eyes of the Christian’s hearts. One author interprets this by translating it as follows: “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light…” (NLT). I believe this is a beautiful thought as Paul goes on to ask that the people realize the hope, inheritance and power of those who believe. This would mean that their hearts would realize what is already true about them.
It seems so much of our sanctification consists of growing in a deeper understanding of what took place at salvation. As we grow deeper in the knowledge of God and His love for us, we grow more confident in trusting Him and surrendering our lives to Him each day. We need Him each day and there will never come a single moment when we will not need Him.
As I spoke at a retreat this past weekend at the very camp I wore the green light, I shared with the group about a new relationship that has been birthed out of a friendship. My heart is aglow with the adoration and encouragement of my new girlfriend Ginger. A man who has been married for 40 years relayed a message to me. He said, “Do you think you love her now? Just wait until you’re married.” “Do you think you love her then? Just wait until your first child is born.” He went on to explain how love deepens as life steadily goes by. This thought excites me very much.
I imagined how this is true about us with God. His love is never changing. It is the greatest it can ever be. We can do nothing to increase it or decrease it. He is unchangeable. However, our love towards Him will always be growing. As truths are revealed and our hearts are flooded with light, we will grow in love and adoration.
So I ask, “Do you think you love Him now? Just wait until you see Him carry you through the next storm.” “Do you think you’ll love Him then? Just wait until He shows you more and more the enormity of the cross and your adoption as His child.” The list could go on and on, but let us recall that we need to dwell on the amazing truths of Scripture and ask God to get out the floodlight so we can see what is already true about us in Christ.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I am so excited to hear that you are in love. Me too. Her name is Casey Cutrer. She is wonderful and every day my affection has grown deeper. I can not wait for you to meet her.