HSBC Coffeebreak

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

This summer I took part in the Truth Project, which is a class that teaches you to have a biblical worldview. One idea that really started to change the way I think is from the above verses in Matthew. Although I knew that "we are God's light in the world," and that "darkness is merely the absence of light," I never thought about the idea that darkness can only stay around as long as light is hidden. I have never opened a closet door to find the darkness spilling out. No, the light poured in and illuminated the dark corners.

The same thing should happen with me. I've only got to look at the latest newspaper to see how dark things are in America. And that leads me to a question that I don't really like to ask, because I'm just as much to blame as everyone else: Where am I hiding my light? That thought really convicted me, because I know I'm at fault. I'm guilty of hiding my light. But if there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that it's never too late to start doing what God wants. I'm taking so much away from the Truth Project. One of the most important things, from my point of view, is that I've learned that I should live as a light to the people around me. So that's what I'm trying to do. It's not always easy, but I know where to find help when I need it. And with God's grace, I'll be that light that the world needs to see.

Written by
Annie Heetderks

HSBC Coffeebreak

Let the children come to me…For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.
Matthew 19:14

A few months ago we purchased my three year old her first bike, complete with training wheels. She could hardly wait to get it home so that she could try it out on the sidewalk in front of our house. While her father and I knew it might be a bit too big for her, she was determined to find success.

Decked out in her helmet, we went in the front yard to give it a go. She climbed on and wobbled around a bit without going anywhere. She couldn’t quite figure out the pedals. She climbed off and stared at it in silence. I offered her help, “Lucy, would you like mommy or daddy to help you ride it for awhile?” She shook her head, “No, I’m a big girl. I can do this.”

A few seconds later she climbed back on and again, the bike didn’t move. As she sat on it, wobbling, I heard her quietly say to herself, “I AM a big girl. I can do this. I can ride a bike. I know how. I’m three.”

I smiled as I heard her encouraging herself. And as I sat there watching her figure it out, I realized that I admired her confidence in how big she was. Many times, when I’m struggling with life, I begin pouting or looking for the easy way out. I wondered, wouldn’t God be overjoyed if for once, when circumstances were going poorly, I reminded myself that I have been a Christian for almost 20 years. In that time I have faced tough times and not once has God failed me. He has always delivered me and provided hope for me. Instead of acting like a child, wouldn’t it be better to walk through life’s troubles with a confidence in His faithfulness to me?

Not coincidentally, my world has had some unexpected twists lately. I have been tempted to worry and fear, but this time, I have a plan. When I am tempted to worry or fall apart, I remind myself out loud what I know to be true of my God. I have seen His power, I have experienced His deliverance and my future and my hope are certain. I need not worry and doubt. I am praying for the strength and the diligence to walk through this reflecting Christ’s glory. I can do this. I know my God. I am a big girl. My God is even bigger.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your faithfulness in my life. I am grateful that You do not abandon me when life gets tough. I pray that when I face trials, I will choose to remember who You are, who You have always been and who You promise I can be when I am trusting in You. Give me the confidence of a child. I desire to honor and bring glory to You when I am walking through difficult times. Amen.

Written by
Holly Hauskins

HSBC Coffeebreak

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13,14

I have always thought that the broad road in these verses referred to wrong actions, and the narrow road referred to good deeds. But lately I’ve been thinking that the two roads could also represent two different ways of thinking.
Since our daughter is in Asia, and one of our sons is in Iraq, I often find myself on the broad road of worry and fear. It’s so easy to travel down this road, but I find that traveling down this road leads to my imagination running away with me, developing even more fear and worry in me. Traveling this road is not pleasing to my heavenly Father, who is watching over all of us and caring for us every moment.

I thank God for showing me His narrow road, where there is trust in Him and an assurance that He is in control of all situations. It’s hard for me to remember to travel along the narrow road, but when I do, I find that this road leads to more trust, God’s peace, and acceptance of God’s perfect will.

Oh God, please catch me before I start going down the broad road of worry and fear! Grab me by the hand and lead me into the narrow road of trusting You. Help me to remember that only the narrow road leads to true peace and joy, no matter what may happen in this world.

Written by
Judy Mulder