Thanks to Miriam Pauline, I was able to finally locate one of my favorite memes, In Other Words. The quote this week is from one of my favorite authors. As a teenager finding comfort between the pages of books, Edith Wharton was by far one of my favorite authors.
There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
~ Edith Wharton ~
I am not much for group Bible studies anymore. For one thing, especially if it is a Beth Moore Bible Study, I just can’t keep up. Don’t get me wrong. I believe that Beth Moore has an incredible gift. However, she is so out of my league when it comes to what I yearn to grasp from God’s Word. Therefore, through many years of trial and error with Bible studies, I have found one that works for me. It can be used either as a group or an individual Bible study. I love doing it on my own, at my own pace. It’s the Life Application Bible Studies. Of course, the series became discontinued before I was able to work my way through the New Testament, so I am still on the hunt for a few remaining books (but that’s a post for another day).
Anyway, what all this has to do with today’s quote is that I have started studying John. According to John 1:8 (NLT):
John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light.
To expand on that, the Life Application Bible Study goes on to say:
We, like John the Baptist, are not the source of God’s light; we merely reflect that light. Jesus Christ is the true Light; he helps us see our way to God and shows us how to walk along that way. But Christ has chosen to reflect his light through his followers to an unbelieving world, perhaps because unbelievers are not able to bear the full blazing glory of his light firsthand. The word witness indicates our role as reflectors of Christ’s light. We are never to present ourselves as the light to others, but are always to point them to Christ, the Light.
To view the wonderful writings of other In Other Words participants hosted this week by Bonnie of Ink It Blog click here.
31 Days of Autumn ~ Day 7
As seen on my front porch.
6 Comments
Danielle, I like simplicity when I study the Word also. I want to get right down to the meat of the feast. (Ok, and maybe a bit of dessert.) Thanks for sharing.
I lived with that LIFE APPLICATION BIBLE by my side for years. It was that Bible that really instilled a total LOVE affair with God’s Word in my life. So I understand your need to consult it. I still do!
It is a great thought: “…perhaps because unbelievers are not able to bear the full blazing glory of his light firsthand. The word witness indicates our role as reflectors of Christ’s light. We are never to present ourselves as the light to others, but are always to point them to Christ, the Light.”
ABSOLUTELY. It is our job to point people to the true and final LIGHT of the World: Jesus Christ!
I do so much love the IOW’s as each of us shape the quote into our own personal spiritual journey and bring out truths that others of us may not have yet seen.
YEA! God’s Word does that!
Great Post.
Happy Tuesday!
-esthermay
Reading your post, I thought about what happens when you use a mirror to direct sunlight on a dry leaf…the power is astonishing! We CAN be like that…amazing! Thanks!
AVA<
Thanks for sharing today Danielle. I’m so glad you found IOW again!
Bonnie
Are those LIfe Application study guides really that old? Maybe I am thinking of a newer version of them?
I was wondering what happened to this meme too. It always gave a very thought provoking topic.
John has long been my favorite of the Apostles and John the Baptist is up there as well though he doesn’t strike a chord with me the way John does. I know many who find a close association with Peter but for me it’s more John.
I may have to look into this meme. Not sure if I’ll do it but it looks like something to follow along with anyway.