LIFE IN THE SUN...

We’ve been back in school two full weeks since “Fasika”- Ethiopia’s Easter. 

May is usually hot and sunny, but rains have been frequent the past few weeks here in Addis. 

Hopefully, we can still get a few more good weeks of the perfect weather that Ethiopia has almost year round… sun, blue skies, nice breeze and low 70’s in temperature. 

Rainy season will kick off mid to late June and go through mid September. The rains are appreciated here because it means a good harvest of crops.

But I do miss the sun when it’s not here as much.

 

ladies often use umbrellas to block the sun's rays

As I was missing the sun some afternoons this past week, I remembered a series of talks I did several years ago about “life in sun” and its effects- and how there are many similarities you can draw between that and “life in the Son- Jesus.”  (I think I did this series of devos in Mexico and Jamaica, maybe in Haiti and the Dominican Republic too.)

You can often tell when people have been in sun.  Some people get a dark sun tan or their hair turns blond.

Others get red and burn.

When my sister came here in March to travel with me into South Sudan- we compared our skin colors- she was very white- coming from the snow-cold-winter of central Europe, while I had been living here in Ethiopia. The differences in our skin color was striking- even with us being identical twins.  

If you’ve been in the sun- you can usually tell. (Now I know there’s SPF 1000ish- powerful sunscreen…to consider, ha ha) but let me draw the analogies without taking that into consideration.

LIFE IN THE SUN HAS…

PHYSICAL EFFECTS

Living in the sun has definite physical effects on your body. Your skin changes color. More freckles appear. Hair usually gets lighter. 

I also believe that if you’re really living in “The Son”- in Jesus’ presence- physical changes actually can be noticed.

There’s an inner joy and peace from within you that can come through your skin into your features. 

If someone is stressed- can’t you see the uptightness in their faces, their eyes? 

If someone is at peace, you can tell by looking at them. 

Just like in the sun…you get a sun tan, so also I believe, if you’ve been in the presence of the Son of God, you can have a “son” tan…

Check out these verses…

Exodus 34:29

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.

Exodus 33:11

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Can people tell you've been with Jesus?

HEAT

Living in the sun- also means living in heat and warm temperatures.   Even with the nice temperatures here in Addis, sometimes the direct sun is downright uncomfortable.  

In the Son of God- I believe if you’re really spending time with Him- there’s friction that happens…that causes a few things...

Inwardly…you feel the rub of conviction- there’s flesh vs. spirit.  God’s light is in you and it rubs with the sin you struggle with. 

Paul described his struggle with this….

Romans 7:14-25

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.  I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

There is also usually passion, a fire in you, if you’re living in the Son of God.  There’s something in you that is lit. Passion is easy to spot. 

Acts 4:13

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:20

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

The heat also causes sweat.  When I lived in the sun of Haiti- I remember that especially because the humidity was high.  I would constantly be soaked. 

If you’re living in the presence of God’s Son Jesus, there should be some sweat going on. Our Teacher, our Savior, our King, modeled for us a life of service.  He will help you love those you would normally hate, and He will fill you with compassion for the least and the lost...to serve them and love them and pour out your life for them.

Luke 22:26

…the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

John 15:12-13

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Paul described his life this way at the end…

2 Timothy 4:6

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

God talked about Jesus’ life this way…

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Do you feel comfortable or uncomfortable? I believe life in the Son brings heat.  You should have conviction, passion, sweat going on if you're with Jesus.  

NEED FOR WATER

Life in the sun has also made me realize how much water I need. I easily get dehydrated and don’t even realize it. I get a headache or I get tired.  Life in the sun requires MORE water.  You also need the RIGHT water. I can’t drink from the tap water here or get down with the local cows at the nearest stream and lap some water.  I’d get sick. I need filtered water or bottled water and much of it.

It’s the same with Life in the Son.  Jesus says REMAIN IN ME. Apart from me, you can do nothing. He describes himself as the well of life, the living water we need. Nothing else can satisfy our thirst like him.

John 4:13

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Isaiah 55:1-3

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

John 15:4

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Jeremiah 2:13

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Revelation 21:6

 “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Do you have a headache, are you tired of life overall? Maybe you're just dehydrated? Maybe you're just drinking from the wrong water well. Jesus says- come to me if you're weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Nothing can satisfy your soul like Him.  Other relationships, positions, money, power, acclaim- nada can fill you like Jesus can.  Check your water.

NATURAL LIGHT

The other thing I’ve learned about life in the sun is the power and clarity of natural light.  The sun is big in its brilliance here.  When I open my curtains in the morning- I see the cobwebs and dust that I didn’t sweep out the night before. 

I’ve learned trying to wear make-up here doesn’t do much good- if you cover up things- it makes things worse.  There’s a vulnerability that is scary- yet freeing as well.

When you’re living in the Son- He is light.  BRILLIANT LIGHT.  It’s sometimes painful to get close because your darkness comes into His light.  But there’s freedom in the light and transparency!

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life

1 John 1:5

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

John 3:19-21

Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Psalm 32:1-11

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Are you living in the light or in the darkness? There's freedom in the light. The Bible says- confess your sins one to another. God sees it and knows it already.  And He offers you mercy, grace, forgiveness and a new start.  There's freedom to be had in living in the natural light of the Son.  

May God help us!!! 

I often think when I walk down the streets here or visit the surrounding communities or when I go into my classrooms- what do people or my students see when they see me?   

What image do I reflect to them?  If they look close enough, can they God?

His love, His mercy, His goodness, His kindness, His wisdom, His humor- by my life?

Or do they just see a reflection of me- of maybe stress or worry or fear or insecurity?

If we aren’t reflecting God or are reflecting nothing, or are reflecting ourselves, there is a problem.

What can we do?  People need to see God’s reflection in our lives and they can.

I believe we reflect things pretty easily.

We reflect our environment.  If we live in certain neighborhoods- we often reflect where we have grown up. What you look at alot or listen to- you can internalize.  Many of us sound like maybe our friends or our favorite TV shows.  In the USA, alot of the violence that happens that is morally shocking for most- probably had its root idea in a book or movie or a video game a kid or teenager watched.

We also easily reflect our culture…our values, our beliefs- by our lifestyles, our vocabulary, our spending choices, even the tone we use or our volume can reflect much to others.  When I see foreigners here in Ethiopia- it doesn't take long for me to figure out where they're from.  They reflect much without ever saying a word.

We also tend to reflect our feelings.  If we’re insecure, angry, stressed, it is often reflected onto everyone around us. 

We influence each other more than we know. And incredibly, we have the ability to reflect God.  But to reflect Him- we must spend time with Him.  If we're looking at God’s Word, if we’re spending time with His Son, we’ll be changed to look like Him and people will see Him. AMAZING!

May each of us live fully in the Son of God, with Him.

Enjoying His leadership, His fellowship, His love, His light!

May we embrace Him first and most.  When we wake up in the morning- may we bask in Him- and then as we go into our day- may we reflect Him to others!

If you’re lacking conviction, passion, or pouring out yourself for others, I’d suggest you need some SON time. 

And if you’re not sure what you’re reflecting to others, ask those who know you best and will give you an honest answer in love…ask them what they see and feel when they’re around you. What do you reflect to them?

May we live life fully in the Son and reflect Him to others!

This is my prayer.

Onward with you!

Prayer Requests

-Our school semester is continuing. This past week, we gave mid-terms. Please pray God continues to give strength and wisdom to teach and that He opens up creative ways to share His love.

-Please continue to keep my parents and sister in your prayers.  They are doing great! 

-Please pray God will help me maximize my remaining time in Ethiopia, making the most of all opportunities!

-May God give direction for the way ahead.

-Please keep my friend Debelle and his family in your prayers as they pray about and seek God’s will for what’s next for them.

-Please pray for many I know who are still seeking work, visas, etc, that God will meet all needs. Our God is able!

-Please pray for the draft of my first book, that I will continue to write and finish it soon.