I recently ran across a note in my Bible where I had written the words lingering light. Though there was nothing more noted, I knew what they were referring to. It’s imagery of my hope that my life and my home after the rapture will shine a lingering light for those left behind in the torment of darkness. People who ignored our warnings before the rapture and those who never heard at all will be desperate for any word of hope. Deception and lies will explain away our departure. If we don’t leave behind truth, it won’t be so easily found. I’m not sure we can even fathom how vital our roles might be in the horrific journeys of people left to face the tribulation. Our lingering light can feed empty bellies and fuel hopeless souls.
I, and others here on Rapture Ready, have written articles about how we can prepare our homes for the departure of the church. I have even offered free printouts you can use to leave in food pantries, medicine cabinets, cars, etc., places where once-honest people will have no option but to burglarize the homes of the recently vanished. You can find those resources here.
My own home was all prepared for my departure. The insides of closet and pantry doors had large warning signs posted, telling where the missing people had gone. I had cards with the ABCs of salvation tucked between canned goods. I was ready and eagerly awaiting Jesus. Then, that same Jesus uprooted our family and started a ten-month-long process of buying land, selling our house, moving to an apartment, building a new home, and moving once again as He replanted us in another town, way out in the boonies.
I was honestly a little stunned and more than a little confused. Why would the Lord give me the mission of preparing my home if He was only going to uproot me so soon? Since the call to prepare had been so heavy on my heart, I just knew that meant He would be coming back soon, like, really, really soon. It all felt like a waste, and I even had moments of wondering if I had missed His direction in the matter. It didn’t take long for Him to remind me that it wasn’t a waste, that it wasn’t about me and my home. It was about us and our homes. What He gave me, I shared with you to make your task of preparing easier. Now, for me, re-rapturizing my home won’t be a difficult task at all. I have it all printed out and ready to tape and tuck everywhere I can.
These past days, as the lingering-light phrase has lingered in my mind, I’ve wondered what the Lord might do with it. I’ve shared plenty of ideas and written more than enough words on the topic of what we can leave behind, so I couldn’t imagine He was leading me to pester you about that again. Then, way too early this morning, He shed new light on my lingering-light imagery, light I know I’m to cast in your direction.
Do you ever feel frustrated that you’re not “doing” something here at the end to make a difference? Have you watched and read tons about what’s going on, about the rise of evil and the nearness of the tribulation, and find you simply don’t know what to do with it? I learned from personal experience that when you’re an inlet with no outlet, the overflow and overload of information serve only to create turmoil in your mind and spirit. It’s all too overwhelming, isn’t it?
During my moving chapter of life, I was constantly bombarded with thoughts of guilt and panic. I wasn’t doing enough. I wasn’t being a good watchman. I wasn’t writing and waking and warning. No kidding, the accusations were all so loud and so constant that I couldn’t tune them out. While the execution of my responsibilities those months was critical to the process of us being re-homed, the enemy would often tell me how trivial it all was in light of the end of the world. I even felt selfish at times for focusing on my home and family so much. Okay, even as I write that, I hear how ridiculous it sounds, but you know how demon whispers work. They can really do a number on your mind and the way you see your life and contributions to the kingdom.
Because my life was in such packing and moving upheaval, and I lived in a whirlwind of decision-making, I couldn’t see things as clearly as I can see them now that I’m settled into my new home. One early morning with the Lord was enlightening. Along the way of my moving journey, I’ve been lingering light, casting a little glow here and a little glow there. Acting as my own agent when selling our house, I had opportunities to talk to agents and buyers. They came into my home and saw the name of Jesus splattered on my walls and on my bookshelves. Bibles were there, and Scriptures served as artwork. I talked to movers and apartment staff. I talked to store clerks and subcontractors and material suppliers.
I sure didn’t do it enough or very well, but as I was able, I shared about God’s goodness and how He had provided for us every step of the way. I shared with the alarm guy about the political deception we’re seeing. I shared with the HVAC guy just how close we are to the end and how important it is to know Jesus. I told a flooring guy that Jesus loves him. Man, that one was awkward.
Now listen, I’m not tooting my own horn here. If you could only hear how I stumble along in conversations and how I make a mess of sharing my faith at times, you would feel a little sorry for the people God places in my path. I’m so thankful it’s on Him to use my ramblings to reach the hearts of my unfortunate listeners. Maybe that can be of comfort to you, too.
That’s the goal of what I’m writing today. I hope to show you how you can be lingering light in your daily life, even if you’re not great at sharing. Don’t listen to demon whispers. Just go out and glow a little as you live your daily life. Most of us don’t have a large or even a small platform, a place to share articles and videos. Yet, we all have an outlet to share what we see and about the One whom we know is coming back soon.
Our platform is daily life and little moments. We can cast light at the grocery store with our patience in line or with a server who gets our order wrong. We can be a glowing example of Jesus with our love for the unlovely. Our honesty in business and loyalty to family and friends can shine His light. An unexpected conversation with a friend or coworker may open the door for you to tell how likely a soon rapture of the church is based on what we see in the world. Three simple words, Jesus loves you, can be said even in passing while you’re running errands.
I’m learning it’s way less complicated than I’ve tried to make it. In a world that’s getting more complicated every day, I now see my role and its simplicity more clearly than ever. I’m to be a light-bearer, one who shines enough light that after I’ve left the store or restaurant or conversation, His light lingers. You can do that too. It doesn’t have to be a ton of pressure. Just shine a little. That’s a great place to start. If you have that voice screaming in your head, asking, What can I do? be intentional about shining the light of Jesus to others in whatever way you can today.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
I hope you’ve found this article encouraging and that you recognize that you have a place and a purpose in this world, no matter your age or stage, especially as the world clock is winding down. We should never take lightly the fact that God has each of us here at just the right time on the kingdom calendar, nor take lightly our responsibility to let our light so shine. I think where many of us get tripped up is in thinking it must look a certain way. The enemy tells us that we’re not doing enough or being enough, so we end up too paralyzed to do or say anything at all. In that, he’s won the battle and relegated us to the sidelines. Doesn’t that just tick you off, to be sidelined by the one who’s already lost the war?
If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines for a season, take up the Sword of the Spirit and stand again. Get out there and shine as you’re able. Love people. Be kind. Be generous. Tell others that Jesus loves them. Warn that the rapture could be any day, even any moment now, and of the rising beast system. Do what you can to get back in the battle and be a radiant soldier out there on the field. Trust that you will leave a lingering light, one that the Spirit will use to guide others to Him.
Speaking of being sidelined, soon after I wrote this article and just as I got settled into my new home, I found myself sick and sidelined for seven months. Now, with a newly diagnosed autoimmune disease where my immune system is mistakenly attacking my joints and skin, I cry even louder, “Come, Jesus, come!” Still, even with the pain I experience and the exhaustion that often keeps me camped out on my sofa, I intend to be a lingering light in this world.
I’m not out much talking to people. I’m not doing much waking or warning, but I can type again when my mental fog is clear. Rather than let the enemy taunt me with whispers that I’m doing even less these days, I will, instead, cast my lingering light your way in the hopes that you will take it and shine where God has planted you.
Shining with you,
Lisa
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