Become the Light You Were Created to Be

As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others. ~ Marianne Williamson

Do you remember the battles between good and evil in the ‘Star Wars’ series? Jedi fought Sith with otherworldly weapons known as lightsabers. The starwars.com website describes the Jedi sword as “an elegant weapon… used to cut through blast doors or enemies alike.” Those powerful shafts of light, drawing power from the Force, conquered every enemy and protected the Jedi from defeat or harm. (FYI – “Star Wars VII” is set for release in December!)

The Star Wars series might be considered science fiction, but it illustrates the power of Light that God set in motion in the beginning. First John says, God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (v. 1:5). Two verses later, he reminds us if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. The Amplified Bible describes that fellowship as “He with us, and we with Him.”

In the movie series, the Force is an ‘omnipresent energy’, like Light. It is available to those who learn how to tap into its power. Young Jedi are trained to understand the power of the Force and how to use it for good. As a Christian, you also are to become transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove [demonstrate] what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2).

Get Your Training

You and I think with our ‘thinkers’ – hopefully listening for Spirit to enlighten (renew) our minds. However, trying to wrap our comprehension around the concept of infinite grace, peace, wisdom, anointing, mercy, joy, love, abundance (the list is as endless as infinity), is challenging. God’s power (aka the Force) is infinite -unending, limitless, enduring and overflowing. The Bible describes it as exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think, [and get this!… ] according to the power that worketh in us! (Eph. 3:20).

The Force does not function from the outside in, its power flows from the inside out! Hereby we know that we dwell in Him and He is us: because He hath given us of His Spirit (I John 4:13). Paul said Guard well the splendid, God-given ability you received as a gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within you (2 Tim. 1:14 TLB).

Keep in mind, when God began His creation and said, “Let there be Light”, He wasn’t talking about sunshine and stars. Those didn’t show up until the fourth day. He released light-energy to illumine the planet – the same divine light that flows from His being and illuminates all of heaven. That Light is the power source of the kingdom of God itself!

Get Equipped

God’s divine power source is in you because you are in Him. Hereby we know that we dwell in Him and He in us because He hath given us of His Spirit (I John 4:13). The Bible says we are children of light (I Thess. 5:5), that we walk in the light (Eph. 5:8), and that we put on the armor of light (Rom. 13:12). You and I are well-equipped for any battle!

Jesus confirmed that in the world, ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Joshua and Caleb understood the power available to them. As they told the Israelites after Moses sent them on a spy mission into the Promised Land, “Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Num. 13:30). Those two guys knew that God [the Force!] was with them!

The final step in Jedi training is the quest for the crystals needed for their own lightsabers. No Jedi faces a battle without his weapons. Likewise, God directs you to be equipped for battle. Therefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Eph. 6:13). Your assigned equipment includes:

• Truth to gird your loins
• Righteousness as your breastplate
• The Gospel of Peace for your feet
• Faith for a shield
• Salvation as your helmet
• The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

You’ll notice that Almighty God, our Supreme Commander provides all of the armor needed. It is infused with His Light-power. His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (Rom. 13:12). No soldier is required to arm himself. Instead, he receives all the weapons and equipment he will need, but it is his responsibility to train with those weapons until he becomes a competent soldier.

Get After It!

You may not be destined to save an entire galaxy, but you do have the power and God-ordained authority to stand in a place of intercession and edification, to dispense mercy and love. Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and those who hear thee (I Tim. 4:6).

Satan’s most powerful weapon is fear and he wields it against us at every opportunity. So much so, that we often don’t recognize it as the devil’s tactic. I remember some months ago thinking about Ed’s driving, especially on ice and snow. It makes me nervous, so I ‘remind’ him often to slow down, take it easy, quit trying to pass everything in sight!

Suddenly, I recognized what I thought of as being ‘mature, responsible and safe’ was really fear coming out my mouth. Fear of an accident. Fear of the toll that might take on our physical bodies and our finances, and – ultimately, I guess – fear of death. I was allowing fear to govern my thoughts and words instead of taking my ‘weapon’ and affirming our safety and protection. In this case, my weapon should be praying before we even leave the house – thanking God that His protection surrounds us, that angels are assigned to all four corners of the vehicle, and that no weapon formed against us can prosper! (Don’t tell Ed, but I also ask God to direct his driving.)

Satan is always trying to trap us. He ambushes our thoughts. He sets up situations that, if we’re not paying attention, will lead us into temptation – the temptation to drop our armor and run! Like any bully, he loves to see us weak and ineffective. Instead of standing strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, we begin to agree with the devil that we’re broke, sick, sad and miserable. We forget that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4).

The Apostle Paul, who survived storms, beatings, jail, stoning, shipwreck and all manner of dire situations, said, Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Rom. 8:37). Jesus declared “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Paul instructed us to shine as lights in the world (Phil 2:15).

We can take our lightsaber of Love and defeat the pain and loneliness of others. We can wield our Sword and declare healing for the sick, abundance for the needy and salvation for the lost and hurting. We can do what Jesus did after forty days in the desert when the devil (aka the Sith) tried to get Him to surrender. Jesus didn’t try to run or hide. He recognized His most effective weapon was the sword He carried – the Word of Almighty God. He faced that beast and proclaimed, “It is written… !”

The entire premise of seven Star Wars movies is overcoming every evil work of the enemy. Paul told the Romans, be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (v. 12:21). Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

You – yes, you – are a wielder of Light and a beacon of hope for the world around you. Your family, friends, co-workers and the people you see throughout your day are all hoping for something or someone to make their load lighter. As you and I shine our mercy, joy, hope, peace and love on the people around us, the world will become a brighter place for everyone. All it takes is for you to become the Light you were created to be!