When my kids were teens, “laser tag” was all the rage. Places sprang up everywhere with varying equipment, amenities, “weapons,” – and prices. Players were encouraged to wear black or very dark clothing so as to be less visible in the black-lighted play areas.
My son loved the game. It was a test of skill and strategy. I liked it because no one got hurt.
But there was a problem. Try as he might, my son could not achieve “invisibility.” Although he wore black from head to toe, he was instantly spotted: he was covered with shed cat hair which glowed in black-light.
I often have cat hair on my clothes. But I find that I don’t mind. It’s a badge of honor. I am a crazy cat-lady and proud.
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Lord,
I am Yours, by Your death and my decision. But sometimes I want to be invisible, to disguise Whose I am. I wonder why, then realize that I am playing a hiding game.
It’s not a new game. Peter played it on the night You were betrayed, with bitter regret. I don’t want that, but it is so hard to do better. I fear falling short, and fear being judged. It is hard not to care what people think. And I don’t always know I’m doing it.
Yet, if I’m not ashamed to be known by the cat-hair on my shirt, why is it so hard to be known as a follower of my King? That is the truth no matter what I might do.
I read,
“In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. This light produces every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. Try to learn what pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8-10 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV))
That’s who I want to be. Consciously. Always. Teach me, please, to walk gladly in the Light and joyfully embrace this incredible honor. Amen.
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Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all;
let your good deeds glow for all to see,
so that they will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:15-16 Living Bible (TLB)
We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining – they just shine. – Dwight L. Moody