Christ’s Spirit Is Always With Us

Today’s reading: Matthew 5:13-16

Just before sitting down to write this devotional today, I heard a woman on television telling of her meeting with Jesus during a “near death experience” and the accompanying life changes.

She reported that her encounter caused her to give up all fear in her life and to become “the light of the world.”

I’ve heard this same story countless times in my life and, dear reader, if you want to hear it many times yourself, just do a quick Google search for “Near Death Experiences” or even just “NDE” and you will be quickly linked to more stories than you can read in a year.

I am always grateful to hear these stories. I always find them exceedingly inspirational.

But I also always wonder why so many people wait for such an experience before making glorious changes in their lives.

I cannot report a direct meeting with Jesus myself , yet I am happy to live the kind of life He would certainly encourage in me during a near death experience. I am happy to give up fear and worry and dread and to simply live in The Light with a spirit guided only by love.

Even without benefit of some sudden trauma (a car wreck, a heart attack or a gunshot wound), Jesus led me to that life. All I had to do was take today’s reading to heart (or a myriad other pieces of scripture).

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Verses 15-16)

Thanks be to God for his eternal encouragement for my spirit.