Subscription Lists
Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
Picture yourself standing in the middle of a room with only one door and no windows. Now imagine this room has no electricity and you're unable to open the door. What do you see? Nothing. You are standing in darkness. The longer you stand there, your eyes begin to adjust to the darkness and slowly you may begin to at least see the outline of your hands. That's what life is like without Jesus. Nothing. Darkness. A life filled with Sin. As long as there is no light, you grow accustomed to the sin in your life and get used to it. And all you can really see is the outline of something – but you're not sure what it is.
Now let's picture the door being opened. Light begins to pour it. At first, you are shocked by the light and feel the need to shield your eyes. You may even want to hide because it is so bright. But there's no place to hide when the light penetrates the darkness. Once your eyes adjust to the light, you can see everything. Nothing is hidden from you.
Without Christ in your life, your heart is like a dark room with no light. When you invite Christ into your heart, light fills the room and you are no longer in darkness.
I grew up performing for people – not like an actress on stage, but literally "acting" my way through life. It became a learned behavior for me in terms of earning attention and what I thought was love from other people. Although I did grow up believing in God, I didn't know who Jesus Christ was and I didn't understand salvation at all. Since I didn't understand Jesus and His gift of grace, I never really understood why He would be different from anyone else in my life. So, I invested in trying to earn His love, His attention, His grace and His mercy.
My life became a vicious circle of trying to please other people and earn their love, including God. It became exhausting. I was tired all the time. I was never really happy. I felt as though my life was a complete lie and an act.
It took me a long time to realize I could not earn God's love. I learned this through reading His Word – the Bible, through attending a Christian church that believes in the Bible, through discipleship with other believers, through joining small groups with other believers and through prayer.
Once I realized there was nothing I could do to earn His love – life began to change for me. I realized the gift of salvation is like an open door. Christ is standing on the other side knocking on the door and asking us to invite Him in. But it does require we take the first step to open the door and let Him in. No one else can do that for us.
Revelation 3:20 NIV
The gift of salvation is ours in Christ Jesus and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with us. It is dependent on what Jesus did for us and there is nothing you or I could ever do to deserve being saved. You just have to open the door.
Father God, I know You are knocking on someone's door today and I pray they have the faith to open the door and let you in. Amen!
Rate it:
Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Single Minded" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.