Part 3 - Mind the Gap - Conclusion

If you read my last two blogs, you know that I covered “Minding the Gap” from two perspectives. First, I spoke about standing in the gap for this world – that is advocating for the world with God, our loving Father. For the second “Mind the Gap” blog, I talked about watching for the potential of gaps in our own lives between who we say we are and how we live our lives.

To wrap up our focus on “Minding the Gap”, I want to talk about a Christians work toward creating a gap in this word so that the light of God can shine through.

The very first command of God in the Genesis message of creation is this: Genesis 1:3-4 [NKJV] 3 “Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that [it was] good; and God divided the light from the darkness.”  Verses 14-19 tell us that God organized the light, giving greater light to the day and lesser light to the night. Even the night would not be without lights in the heavens. The lights of the night – the moon and stars – have guided travelers throughout time – whether sailors on the oceans or the magi seeking the baby Jesus. [Matthew 2:2]

Ephesians 5:8 [KJV] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Just like He knew the physical earth needed light, God, the Father, knows this world is in spiritual darkness and needs spiritual light. That’s where we come in.

2 Corinthians 4:6 [NKJV] “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Note that God first shines light into us through Jesus. Then He asks us to shine light into the world. But we don’t have light of our own.

When He walked this earth, Jesus was God’s lamp of light. [John 5:35] Now that He is back up in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, that spiritual light that God commands is the light of the gospel of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:4 [NKJV] “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” [Emphasis mine]

And we are the vessels of that light – the lamps – to hold and use and expose the world to that light. Matthew 5:14-16 [NKJV] 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I enjoy watching sunrise, especially over the ocean or gulf, because then you see the brilliant light of day pushing back the dark of night and it is intensified by the reflection of that light on the water.

Again, when it comes to the light of God, we are not the light, but, like the water, we reflect the light out into the world. This is our work: reflecting light into darkness, until the Light returns to dwell with men.

Revelation 22:5 [NIV] “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”

Until then, we are His tools for spiritual light. Where do gaps come in? Well, this world is covered in clouds and darkness because the god of this world is all about skulking around in the dark. His works are done in darkness and his children are the lovers of darkness.

We don’t condemn the children of darkness, because we were there too before the light of the gospel was shed on us.

Ephesians 5:8 [KJV] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1 Thessalonians 5:5 [KJV] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Instead, we to work to bring light to them. We are to create a gap in the darkness through our works of light, such as preaching the gospel, loving others [1 John 2:9], and helping the needy. [See Matthew 25:31-46] I think that helping the needy is the best way to shine light into this dark world. We can listen to and comfort the hurting. We can provide food to the hungry. We can pray for healing for the sick. We can tell any and everyone who will listen about the love of God. Read the Gospel accounts of the works of Jesus to see how often He healed, fed and comforted as part of His ministry.

God sent Jesus to be the light. He created a huge gap in that dark world. But now He is back in heaven and it is our job to do the works that create a gap in the darkness for the light of God to shine through.

Sweet sisters, let us always remember to stand in the gap for this world – not calling down God’s wrath upon it, but seeking His mercy on behalf of this suffering world. Let us be sure there is never a gap between who we say we are or what we say be believe or who say God is, and how we speak and act. And, finally, let us do the work of opening up a gap in the world’s gloom, pain, misery and darkness by living as the reflected light of our Father – the light that brings joy and happiness for our fellow earth dwellers.

Let’s always mind the gap.

I welcome your comments and questions. I’d like to hear if you can think of any other analogies for minding the gap. You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org.