Hi, everyone!
I am currently participating in one of my friend Ashley’s “ad hoc” Book Clubs. Together we are reading A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. Now, this isn’t a book review (though I’ll publish one when I finish), but I wanted to tell you about the light-bulb moment I had this morning while reading Chapter 5.
In Chapter 1 Swope writes about getting ready for a speaking engagement for which she felt inadequate. She turned from the mirror and noticed her oversized shadow on the wall. The shadow seemed to symbolize her doubt. Then she realized that as long as she was facing the light (symbolizing the truth of God’s promises to lead and enable her), the shadow would not trouble her — she would not even see it.
So this morning I started in on Chapter 5. Recalling that day and her shadow, Swope writes, “…I realized I had created the shadow by blocking the light” (p. 85, emphasis mine). She compares focusing on our insecurities with “…cast[ing] a shadow of doubt in our minds by blocking the light of God’s truth in our hearts” (p. 86).
Here’s the clincher, in the next paragraph: “We were not designed to block the light or to be the light” (p. 86). Oh. Well, I thought. True, but then what are we do with the light of God’s truth? Resorting as usual to imagery, I tried to picture something that reflects light but does not block it.
A second later, I had it–Glass! A glass window is both reflective and transparent, and that is how I want to be with God and his truth. I want to reflect his grace and his loving nature. At the same time, I want to remain transparent about my own shortcomings and how God keeps working to bring me toward maturity. I don’t want my behavior or attitude to block others from seeing the Light.
As near as I can figure, “thinking about his strength rather than my weakness” (p. 87) will keep my confidence high. “Self” confidence can only let me down, like trying to dock a boat by tying the rope to its own mast. Instead, I need to “tie” my confidence to the One who is solid and secure.
Thanks for reading,
Jan
PS: I am also linking up with Rachel Anne and my Company Girls friends today.
Jan C Johnson, Author 
I LOVE this, Jan!! I’ve often thought about reflecting God, like a mirror, but that misses the transparent aspect. Thank you for sharing this image!!
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Beautiful Aha moment, and it immediately made me think that God uses Glass to magnify light..when light passes through it it can not only be transparently coming through, it can be focused light as when we ignite things….when we focus on what God puts before us His love ignites!
hugs
Sweetie
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Ah, yes… magnifying, shining through, reflecting… all ways to glorify the Lord. Thanks for commenting!
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Thanks for sharing your beautiful inspiration about light and being transparent! What a beautiful gift God has given you in knowing this now!
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Thank you for stopping by and commenting! I love to pass along anything I’ve been given.
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Thank you for sharing this powerful quote from the book:
“Then she realized that as long as she was facing the light (symbolizing the truth of God’s promises to lead and enable her), the shadow would not trouble her — she would not even see it.”
How awesome is that revelation! It has given me a lot to think about and I plan to pick up a copy of this book to read for myself.
I’m Cassandra, here by way of Company Girls. Have a great Thanksgiving Week.
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Welcome, Cassandra! I am finding this book especially helpful, myself. I’m glad you stopped by. I enjoyed your post, too!
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Thank you for sharing your light bulb moment. I resonate much with the quote about the shadow and the light and where I am looking for truth. How true that when we remain transparent about our own short-comings, God’s light can really shine through us.
God has been speaking to me about listening to His truth and to His voice. This just falls right in-line with that. Thanks for the encouragement.
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So glad the post was encouraging to you. Thanks for your kind comments.
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