Is Your Light Shining?

Speak to Aaron and say to him: "When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall cast their light toward the face of the menorah." Numbers 8:2

All of the tribes were told to bring in an offering to consecrate the altar inside the Tabernacle except the Levites. Aaron was wondering why they were not part of that but Moses reassured him that theirs was a special purpose. Without the light shining and remaining lit, the people’s faith and trust in the Lord would grow cold. 

Aaron and his tribe are the Israelite’s preachers and teachers of the Word. Just as the light would remain lit, so the Word would be on their lips and in their hearts, sharing and caring for the rest of Jacob’s children. All people are to keep God’s Word on their hearts and minds while also sharing it without ceasing. When we cease to share and follow up, the light within us grows dim.

There is a problem in some churches today that have found this to be a problem. The drive for a relationship with God begins at the youngest child and should never stop. When the brakes are set, the light starts shining yellow and will turn red unless growth starts up again. If the same things are taught year after year then the child will not grow but stay perpetually in the last seconds of yellow begging to turn green or stop altogether. 

All Children of God do not learn at the same pace which is why so many become numb and stagnated in their Christian walk. The challenge is to excite learning. Take for instance my daughter. When I started my Pastoral Studies, she wanted to help me learn. She was barely 10 years old. Seeing an opportunity because she wanted to know God more I gave her some reading to do and she would ask me questions to which I gave simple answers at first but I saw the thirst and she soaked it up like a sponge in the deep ocean. She is now 23 and needs to sit in classes with people 2 to 3 times her age. On the flip side is my son. He was going good for a while and was in the church Sunday schools but then started falling away. When I asked what the matter was, he said that he just didn’t feel like he was growing even with everything I tried. Maybe God has other plans right now and he will come to know Him later (I hope). 

Parents, we need to teach our children at home and fill their hearts with the actions within the Word, not just the Word alone. But remember not to try too hard and watch how your child develops. Believe me, you will know when the child, teen, young adult, and even adults, are ready to learn how to be deeper in Love with God. Do not rush them but do not hold them back either. I believe that may have been my problem in raising our youngsters.   

Don’t let the light burn out and have patience. The mustard seed must be watered slowly so that the light turns green and never goes yellow. If it does, don’t let it go red. 

In His Arms of Mercy,
Rob, Servant of God