You Want A House You Can Be Proud of Don't You Russ?

Its the Christmas season, and that means people try their best to impersonate Clark Griswold and decorate their house with plenty of twinkling Christmas lights to brighten up the neighborhood.If you go around most neighborhoods you will see at least a few houses with lights shining. I haven't quite taken that plunge yet myself but I am getting closer as I keep being pushed by certain people (you know who you are).When I thought about the lights I see around the neighborhood a few things come to mind.

1. You have to make a decision to put them up.
2. You have to spend money for Christmas lights and the electricity to have them run
3. If done well people will drive from far away to see them

There is a very simple statement made by Jesus and recorded by John. "I am the light of he world" John 9:5.  Jesus describes Himself as a light so I figure I can make some comparisons of our relationship with God through CHRISTmas lights.

Related Post: The Weary World Rejoices!

You Have to Make a Decision to Put Them UpThis isn't easy.  If you don't have them already, you have to fight the crowds at the store. Or if you have ever seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, you understand that you have to deal with lights in a knot, staple guns, ladders, extension chords, and much more.  But you do it for the end result.  No one ever said that following Christ would be easy. But if you make the decision and utilize all the tools at hand (Prayer, The Word, Church, etc.) the end result has the opportunity to come our spectacular.Job 34:4 - "Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good."You Have to Spend Money for Christmas Lights and the Electricity to Have them RunNo one really enjoys spending money on things like electricity.  I don't mind spending it on presents for others, or food, or other necessities. While electricity is a necessity these days, its still not the most fun purchase. But to keep things running we keep paying it. Its not a one time purchase where you are good for the rest of your life, its a monthly bill that keeps showing up. I view this as tithing. In order to keep providing lights to others, God asks us to return to Him a portion of what we have. I am living proof that if you trust Him in this, He will not only keep your lights on, but He will make them shine brighter!Malachi 3:10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."If Done Well People will Drive from Far Away to See ThemI remember as a kid during Christmas having a great time with the family while riding around in our Dodge Minivan looking at Christmas Lights. They had great lights in Pacolet, SC and McAdenville, NC. We would drive up to and hour just to go look at the lights. How do I remember this? Because they were done well and we heard about them. Similar to this, our relationship with Jesus should be a Light that can't be burnt out. It should shine so bright and be so beautiful that people come from miles around just to be close to it and experience it. Jesus is that light, He uses us as one of the mediums to showcase His light. Take pride in showing Him off!Matthew 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."So go ahead, make the decision to put up some lights and spend some extra money for the electricity. But make sure you put them up in a way that provides, light and joy to others and gives people a reason to travel to see the Light.