Welcome back readers! Not just to you but to me as well, I have been MIA. No excuses, I just didn’t feel like writing. My desire to express myself seemed to be muted. I would start to write but wouldn’t finish my thought through to form a complete comprehensive post. Now don’t get me wrong, I was still living life to the fullest. I celebrated friends, family, and myself during my time away. For my anniversary, my husband and I went on a trip to Vegas. Can’t lie that trip was great, we tired a few activities we have always wanted to try and had a ball doing them. What stuck with me the most were the lights that seemed to be extra bright depending on what area of the strip you are on. This got me to thinking and these are my thoughts. Disclaimer, when I have these thoughts, they are usually accompanied by me having a conversation with God. I need understanding people and He is the only one I have found to provide it.
So now that my disclaimer has been established, I would like to share my thoughts with you. As I stared and reflected on the lights of Vegas the questions that ran through my mind were: What are is the purpose of these lights? How is each business able to thrive when they offer the same type of advertisements (bright lights)? What causes people to choose where to spend their time? Many might wonder why these are even my focus while in the city that keeps everyone’s secrets. That I can’t answer but hopefully you will get a look at what I came up with.
I’ll start with the purpose of the lights. Most would say that the main purpose of the lights is to illuminate the darkness. I can’t lie that would be my first response! Yet these lights seem to do more than just light up the world. They seem to draw you in and direct you to what they had to offer, playing a critical role in enticing one to see what lays within. It made me think about the light mentioned in Matthew 5:14-16, when Jesus was on a mountain teaching a multitude the beatitudes. In this passage Jesus expressed to the multitude that those who follow Him are the light of the world. Being a light meant that they were to shine wherever they were, not hide their glow in anyway. It should be shine brightly before all who saw it but not for their glory but to draw and direct people to Him. I wondered how do I do that Lord?
But the lights in Vegas make it clear! They did what they were created to do and that was enough. They drew me in with their displays of changing colors, billboards that promised endless fun, and their elaborate designs. Although they each had the same concept each presented them in a different way. This helped me see why there was an opportunity for each to thrive. Each focused on their specialty working towards a common goal…bringing people to Vegas to spend money. How powerful the people of God would be if we did the same! Ephesians 4:7 speaks of the gifts that we are given by God. It’s hard to believe sometimes that God gave me something that only I can do. There have been seasons in my life where I was caught up in what others are doing and fall of track thinking what I do doesn’t matter. Yet the lights brought me back to focus, reminding me that there are many of them but to be impactful they all must fulfill their purpose. Each shining at the same time provides a complete picture that may not be seen if even a bulb is out of place. I wondered how do I do that Lord?
So far, the intensity of the lights and its specific purpose have brought us to Vegas, now where will time be spent? In the hotel enjoying the luxury services, indulging in cuisine from top chefs, or in the casinos hoping that lady luck graces your pockets? We did a bit of everything! Our choices were based on what we enjoyed doing together, which I believe is true for most. We do what draws us in and promises to satisfy what we feel we need. When you speak to most Christians, they will say that there was a need within them that wasn’t being satisfied. They come to know Jesus due to something said, experienced in a church service, a conversation, or just in a moment of surrender being overwhelmed by a desire growing within them that they could not explain. This pull, this need, this light reflected at them did something that sparked their interest in Christ. I know this to be true for me and if you think back to when you decided to pursue God you may say the same. Much like the multitude mention in Matthew 5:14, Jesus was like the lights of Vegas. He allowed who He was to shine brighter that the expectations of those around Him. He trusted the gifts that God placed within Him, moving in a way the drew people to him. He remained who He was always speaking truth to those who were willing to listen. He realized His job was to make others aware of who God was not to push or pull them to follow God.
This my friends is what we are called to do…to be like the light in Vegas. That made me laugh! No really, our focus should be to be the best light we can be. Never hiding our brilliance no matter where we are placed in life. Understanding that our light is needed to play our part in drawing people to the truth of who God is. Drawing them to His love, truth, and mercy. Daily I ask you to not look at the lights that are around you but join in and shine your brightest!