“For with you is the fountain of life. In your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9
My high school theater career gave me several occasions to be in the spotlight. Here is what I learned: Spotlights are intensely bright, so bright in fact, that you are nearly blinded and cannot even see the audience members sitting in front of you.
The world’s spotlights can blind us as well. If we choose the attention of the spotlight, it is nearly impossible to see others around us and understand their needs. But as Jesus shows us today, Heaven’s spotlight shines in a wide and wonderful way focusing our eyes on what truly matters, helping our perspective stay in line with God’s perspective.
In Matthew 6:22 Jesus describes our eyes as a lamp for the body, letting light flow into every part of our body. As Heaven’s light fills us, we become aware of the divine viewpoint of God. Let’s view Matthew 6:19-34 through Heaven’s spotlight, centering our eyes on the essential message.
“Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where moth and vermin cannot destroy and thieves cannot break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20
Truth glows in this verse as we learn the treasures of earth, material objects, will go away, but the treasures of Heaven, our inner gifts of joy, peace, love, and goodness go on forever. Nothing can take these treasures away, so these gifts need to be in the spotlight. I believe our hearts store these wondrous treasures through gratitude. When we express joy or peace or kindness and are grateful for the opportunity to experience God’s kingdom, the act of gratitude holds them in Heaven forever.
“You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
God gets the spotlight here. Complete devotion to God is required if we want to fully experience God’s kingdom and share his love with others. We have choices everyday about what to put our spotlights on. Let’s make sure God would agree.
“Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life.” Matthew 6:25
Jesus strikes down our tendency for worry by spotlighting who God is. God as our Father and our Creator takes care of us. He does not leave us to fend for ourselves, but he provides in grand, abundant and loving ways. When our spotlight is directed toward him, we have no need to worry.
Jesus leaves us with one focus that shines upon all: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Matthew 6:33
His Kingdom is supreme, brimming with love, mercy, joy, peace and goodness, lasting beyond the boundaries of this earth and supplying the guidance we need for our days.
Warren W. Wiersebe says it like this: When you live to please God and to keep the inner person healthy, you discover that life gradually becomes unified. Instead of running here and there, trying to do everything and please everybody, you calmly face the challenges of each day without feeling pulled apart. You find it’s much easier to make decisions because life is centered on one thing: seeking first “the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”
Heaven’s spotlight leads us to that Kingdom. In God’s kindness, he not only uses his spotlight to guide us, but he allows us to carry his spotlight in this world so that others might see his face. I share my poem, “God’s Candle” below in hopes that you will be inspired to carry Heaven’s spotlight with you, delivering light to dark corners each day.
Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul): Read Matthew 6:19-34 and allow God to spotlight words or phrases that ignite your spirit.
Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world): Read the poem below and take a word or phrase with you each day to guide your heart and your mind.
God’s Candle
by Janice M. Gibson
As this day unfolds
I choose the divine,
igniting God’s candle
instead of mine.
I love before judging,
place joy over strife,
think peace in each moment
as faith guides my life.
I reach out in kindness
and give from within.
My patience works deep,
while goodness blocks sin.
Abundance, I find,
reshaping my mind.
A purpose defined–
my soul refined,
when I light God’s candle
instead of mine.
Living 4 Him 
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