This is a picture of a magnifying glass.
All together now...duh. A magnifying glass is a useful tool. I used one to see the expiration dates on all the Box Tops For Education our school collected. Came in quite handy.
Tonight at church, though, singing My Soul Magnifies the Lord by Chris Tomlin, this is the picture that came into my head:
On its own, a magnifying glass is just good for making things bigger. Let the sun shine through it, and things catch fire.
On my own, I'm just a magnifying glass. Kinda useful, I suppose, but nothing special. But to truly set the world on fire, I need the power of God shining through me. Tonight I realized that I have been trying to make a fire without God.
It's exhausting.
I forgot about grace. Instead of remembering who God is, I've been reminding myself who I'm not. I tell myself what I haven't been doing right lately. I've been feeling like it's up to me to get the fire started.
I've hit the back space so many times during this post because I just can't get the words right, but again, God can use my flawed attempt to share my heart with you to accomplish what He needs to. I'm the only one who thinks it's all up to me.
If you've found yourself overwhelmed and in this place lately, remember that we are only the magnifying glasses. Leave room for God to make the fire.
Hey Deb, I just got caught up with your posts. And again, you amaze me, inspire me, and make me miss you terribly! I just realized I have been trying to start the fire as well. Just last weekend I was shown how I had been telling God what I wanted to do in the church He pointed us to. I couldn't figure out why I wasn't hearing Him when I've been pleading with Him to show us the church we are supposed to call home. I realized Sunday as long as I think I'm the one starting the fire, He will not show me where to hold the magnifying glass. I think that's what I mean :) I also think you will know exactly what I mean. I love you!
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