Burn

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,” Luke 12:35

We must make ourselves ready for the return of Jesus Christ. No one knows when that will be, but we know time is drawing down and we must persevere in preparing ourselves.

Growing up, we didn’t have electricity so our light sources were kerosene lamps and candles. In order to keep the lamps burning, the wick had to be submerged in the kerosene. If the wicks were dry, they wouldn’t burn and there would be no light.

As followers of Christ, we must be submerged in the oil of the Holy Spirit each day. This submersion enables us to more and more reflect the Truth and beauty of Christ to a hurting, hardened and broken world.

How do we do that?

Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship with Jesus. Investing in that relationship through daily Bible reading, talking with Him in prayer, listening for His voice, praising Him, worshipping Him and aiming our hearts to obey His will are some of the keys to keeping our lamps burning. Confessing sin and asking the Holy Spirit to fill us is a powerful way to start each day. I like to meet with Jesus in the early morning before my family is up and about so I can be alone with Him. Pick a time that works best for you.

When we value Jesus as our Greatest Treasure, we experience the joy of intimacy with Him that we were made for. We live and move out of an abundant overflow of His peace. We get filled. We grow in our awareness of His presence. His desires become our desires. We grow in Christ-likeness. We are strengthened. We are transformed.

What are you doing to keep your lamp burning?