Use It or Lose It!

                                                          

     How many of us, in our younger years, played a sport, an instrument or practiced something deligently, determined to improve on what we had the day before? Fast forward twenty or thirty years and one of our kids asks us to play that sport or instrument with them. Wow! What has happened to our excellent skill, our aptitude, and our prowess? It has faded with the passing years of non-use, like a light that has dimmed, our glory days are but a memory. 

    Jesus used a parable (story) to illustrate this principle in Mark 4:21-25. I was reading this passage today as part of a wonderful Bible study called, "You Belong to the Bridegroom" by my precious friend Aliene Thompson (you can order it at www.treasuredministries.com). One of the things I love about her studies is the room she leaves for the Holy Spirit to speak through the Word to you personally. The Lord spoke loudly and clearly through the parable in this morning's Scripture: 

      He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on a stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 

     "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you-and even more. Whoever has will be given more;whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."

     In today's language, "use it or lose it!" Jesus was telling his followers that we have been given the light of Christ and if we CHOOSE to hide it, out of fear, ignorance or rebellion, that light will grow dimmer, flickering and fading from what it used to be. No longer will His light radiate forth from within, shining for all who are walking in the darkness...and where will that leave the world, our nation, our communities and our families? 

    Here is the good news: our faith does not have to disappear with the other things that age may dull! We can actually become stronger, with more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control! Our Lord tells us exactly how we can grow, rather than die...gain rather than lose...experience feast, rather than famine~ 

The more we use what He has given us for His glory (not our own), the more we grow in our faith, love, and understanding of Him! Through His Word, His Spirit, and fellowship with His people, more and more is poured out for us to share! And who among us does not think the world needs more faith-filled, Christ-centered, selfless love, to light  the darkness today? 

     It is the choice of every one of us. We can continue to let our faith wither and fade from lack of use, or we can dust it off, and turn our hearts back to Him. Start today, start where you are, and take that next step to use what you have been given. There is no better "Trainer" than Jesus!  He can get your heart back in shape in no time..that's what He came for! He can reignite your lamp! 

    Speak of what He is doing in your life, love that difficult co-worker or spouse with His grace, forgive those who have hurt you...all of this and more, have been given to you as undeserved grace. Now is the time for you to use it! 

 Let your light shine!