God2Share

It’s that time of year again.

The clocks are turned back, and instantaneously 5:00 pm feels like 9:00 pm.

There seems to be more darkness than light.

Where did the sun go?

The sun feels further away, even though I know that it is still there.

This powerful force is the earth’s primary source of energy.

It provides warmth to our bodies of water, our land and our atmoshphere.

Absorbing the sun’s rays seems to provide warmth to our souls as well.

But this energy is not only absorbed by the earth, but also can be reflected back into the atmosphere.

This is referred to as the albedo effect.

Albedo lets us know how much of the sun’s energy actually gets here and affects the earth’s temperarture.

A planet or a moon with a low albedo absorbs the radiation that falls on it and does not reflect anything back into the atmosphere.  

As a result, it does not shine brightly.

But a planet or moon with a high albedo reflects a lot of light back into the atmosphere.

Some surfaces tend to be a very reflective, such as snow.

It reflects back that energy that falls on it.

I love to see God in the details of our lives.

Somedays, there seems to be more darkness than light.

And on those days, I am tempted to ask “where did the Son go?”

He feels further away, even though I know that He is still there.

Jesus is my primary source of energy, providing warmth to my soul.

And just like having a low albedo, on the days I am self absorbed, I do not shine brightly.

I do not reflect His light or love back into the world.

But if we allow Him to, He will make us like snow.

“Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and happiness. Let the bones that You have broken be full of joy.  Hide Your face from my sins. And take away all my wrong-doing.

Make a clean heart in me, O God. Give me a new spirit that will not be moved.   

Psalm 51: 7 -11 (NLV)

Just like the snow, I can then reflect back His love and light into a world that needs His energy.

Friends, we all experience dark days when the Son feels far away.

But He is always there.

Absorb His light today and remember to reflect His love back into the atmosphere.

Amen.

Thanksgiving is almost upon us.

And while many of us are planning out our meals or our travel plans, we often miss the essence of the holiday.

Giving thanks.

Thank you : two simple words, sometimes said casually in passing or quickly in a text to a friend.

But how often do we consider the things that someone has done for us; pause and really thank them for what they’ve done?

My friend, Dawn, is someone who takes the time to pause, ponder and pray.

She never misses an opportunity to stop, reflect and write a note of gratitude to those around her.

This is one of the things I cherish about her.

Each week as I write, she takes time out of her schedule to proofread and offer me feedback.

I cannot tell you how much her support and time have meant to me over the past year.

Every time I think of her, I give my God thanks.

Jesus had a busy schedule, but He always made time to pause, ponder and pray.

“But the news about Him was spreading farther, and large crowds kept gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their illnesses.  But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray (in seclusion). “ Luke 5 15-16 AMP

Jesus was deliberate.

He made it a priority to pause.

As the busyness of the holiday season is quickly approaching, my challenge to you is this:

• Pause .  Take a breath and be still.
• Ponder.  Consider those around you and how important they are in your life.
• Pray.  Thank God for this person and pray for them.

As I pause today, I ponder who may be reading this blog.

Know that I am thankful for you, and pray that God’s love and peace overflow in your life.

Take the time today to pause, ponder and pray using this free download from God2Share.