Open the Blinds

Have you ever stayed a hotel with the curtains that blackout all of the light? I have taken the mid-afternoon nap and awoke to believe it was the middle of the night. Unless I looked at the very edge of the curtains, there was no evidence as to condition of the outside world. It was actually bright and sunny.

At home the curtains and blinds do not as intensely block out the light. Yet the amount of light in the room is far reduced from that which is outside the window. With each layer that is opened the light increases. Opening the curtains and then the blinds is required to allow in the maximum amount of light.

In Scripture we are told, “The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 AMP)  Just as the sunlight is outside the window during the day, the light of the word of God; Jesus, is always shining in the spiritual realm. We need to get whatever is blocking that light from entering our minds and hearts. We want to take away, layer by layer, everything that is blocking the light.

When someone is not open to a relationship with Jesus, blockage to the light is as intense as the hotel blackout curtain. The heart cannot receive understanding and does not comprehend the wisdom of God. It will take a desire to see what is beyond the curtain of this life. It may take the assistance of a Jesus follower to allow the hurt heart to know that the light is truly available.

Once we come into a relationship with Jesus, the light is never truly blocked out. It is more like the window coverings at my home. Things of this life can limit the amount of understanding, discernment and comprehension we received from the truth of God’s word. Busyness anger, unbelief, selfishness… the list of things that can block the entrance of God’s word is lengthy.  Each one must be overcome to allow the most light in.

As we begin to give each area of our life over to the Lord, is like turning the rod that controls the blinds. They open a little wider with each turn and allow more light to stream through. As more word and light enter our hearts, more of our true nature can be revealed; strengths and weaknesses. Each change causes us to reflect more of the image of Jesus. We will also see more of God’s call on our life and receive direction in the path we should go.

The longer we live as true students of the word, reading and studying it regularly, we will begin to see more clearly. As we see the things that God wants change, we must be obedient. As time goes by, the blinds on the windows of our lives can be totally opened and actually pulled up by the attached rope. This provides the most open access to our hearts. But there does not come a time that we can coast feeling as though we’re receiving all of the light that God has for us. For even the window without coverings will constantly get fingerprints (or paw prints as in our house). And it will need constant attention just as we need to constantly take in the word of God.

 Interestingly, Jesus is both the word and the light. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14a ESV)  “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)  As we allow Jesus to become more part of our lives, we live hearing His words and seeing by the true light of life.

So pull back the curtains today begin opening the blinds of your life. Spend time in the word of God and let Him brighten everything that you do.