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| Amazing Photo Compliments of Sandra Heska King |
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Our lives should be more hypnotizing than a hummingbird – lives that shine for Christ in a dark and difficult world – lives that seem to flow with effortless ease in the midst of the storms of life. Not perfect. Not without pain. But dancing in the midst of the pain.
Recently, I read a cute little quote that said…
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s learning to dance in the rain.”
Throughout Scripture we’re told to rejoice when we go through trials – to count it joy when we are persecuted and lied about – to be glad when others treat us badly.
We’re told to love our enemies and do good to those who use us. We’re told to turn the other cheek and give the shirt off our backs. We’re told to love the unloveable, walk the extra mile and forgive those who hurt us.
We’re told to take care of the orphans and minister to the widows. We’re told to feed the homeless and visit those in prison. We’re told to take the Gospel to across the street and across the ocean.
We’re told to shine bright for Jesus in a dark and diffiuclt world.
So, are we doing it? Are others captivated by our selfless lives? Do we hypnotize the world when we walk in peace through the midst of pain? Are we dancing from place to place in order to pollinate the lives of others with the good news of the Gospel?
There’s so much more we could learn about the hummingbird, isn’t there!?
Do our lives buzz with the truth that Jesus is the answer to every longing of our souls?
I have to tell you, sweet friend, that as I studied for this post, I was so convicted about the fact that my life should be captivating for Christ – yet I often perch on the front porch of my lfe and watch the world go by – not making the difference I could – not making the difference I should.
So, as we finish examining the lessons we can learn from the hummingbird, let’s get personal and ask ourselves a few questions:
1. Do I shine for Jesus like I should?
2. How do I respond when others say hurtful things to me or about me?
3. How should I respond if I’m going to be a light for Christ?
4. Am I really doing the things God calls me to do in Scripture that bring glory to Him?
5. Have I forgiven those who have hurt me? Have I loved those who oppose me?
Extra Credit…
1. Make a list of intentional ways in which you can shine for Jesus and then put them on your calendar so that you can be sure you actually do them.
2. Make a list of people who need to be loved, who need to be ministered to, who need your forgiveness and who need to see Jesus in you. Then write out ways in which you can be a captivating example of Christ’s love in their lives.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s posts and I pray it has encouraged you to not only dance in the rain, but also to fly!
Again, I’d like to thank Sandra for the photos she so willingly provided for this week’s series! She is an amazing woman of God with a heart that truly shines for Jesus! Be sure to enjoy the pics below and then go visit her website at http://www.sandraheskaking.com/.
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| Another Amazing Photo Compliments of Sandra Heska King |
Another Amazing Photo Compliments of Sandra Heska King
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s learning to dance in the rain.”
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Your lessons from the hummingbirds have been wonderful, Stephanie! Amazing what God can teach us through His creatures. Thank you for all your posts. Bless you!
Hi Lynn ~ Thanks for popping in and joining me for lessons from the hummingbird! Sweet friend, I LOVED your post on lessons from TREE! 🙂 That really did minister to me on so many levels! LOVED IT!
Love these hummingbird lessons Stephanie. One thing I would add…All the things we do to be “more mesmerizing than a hummingbird” come naturally when we are deeply in love with our Savior. The more in love with Him we are the more we want to be mesmerizing and the more our lives are mesmerizing.
Love you sweet friend!
Angela ~ I LOVE that! You are SO right that the more we love Him, the more mesmerizing our lives will be because we are so mesmerized by Him! Beautiful truth! Beautiful you! 🙂
Love ya back!
Thank you for such a great post. . .I just saw my first hummingbird at my feeder the other day. . . we also have bird feeders all over the back yard. . .just love to watch them and hear them sing.
And yes, I hope I'm buzzing with the good news, I try:)
Visiting you from Lynn M. blog~
Nice to “meet” you
Kristin
Stephanie
I have loved these lessons from the hummingbirds. I think this one was my favorite, because this is what I have been tryng to do the past few months. I have been working towards being “purposeful” about finding the positive in every situation and looking for blessings rather than the burdens. The more I do, the more joyful life becomes even in the storms. And in endulging in this joyfulness that God has given us, I am able to spread it to those I come in contact with that need that extra encouragement and love. Being a shining light is sometimes hard, but it is so worth the glow you see in others from the rays of God you are sharing. Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
Love you,
Amanda
I've seen these little birds go about their business in the rain.
I like to think God is mesmerized by us when we dance before Him with all the colors He's spilled on us.
These have been amazing lessons, Steph, and I am honored that you would use my photos. You are such a sweet spirit and such a bright light!
XOXO
Kristin ~ I'm so glad you popped in and enjoyed the posts! I'm also very glad you got to see your first hummingbird at your feeder! Whoohoo!
And thank you so much for visiting me from Lynn's blog! I visited you too. Loved your website and your heart to minister to others! Awesome!
Glad we're connected! 🙂
Amanda ~ I love that you're seeking to be intentional. Intentional lives accomplish much! And you're so right…the more we serve the more joyful we are and the more others see Jesus in us!
Sandra ~ I love the way you offer a different perspective to these posts! You add so much more to the discussion and I just love that! Thanks again for the pics and for being part of this weeks journey together! 🙂