Lately, I’ve noticed how the sunlight streams through my kitchen window and brings health to my plants. I’m exploring how the Light of Christ changes my heart—my thoughts, words, and actions. Here’s how my study began.
My husband rarely complains about anything—unless my plants crowd the kitchen counter space.
“But they love the morning sunlight,” I say.
“They may love the sunlight, but I like the counter space,” he replies with a smile. “I can’t wash my hands in this jungle without bumping into leaves.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll move them,” I usually reply as I plan to sun them another day. Then I return my Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioide for technical readers) to the living room table and my Janet Craig plant (Dracaena fragrans) to the desk in the office.
When I leave one side of a plant turned away from a window for several weeks, glossy green leaves go limp and turn yellow. Every side of green plants—all the leaves—need sunlight. God designed them with sunlight-absorbing chlorophyll to promote health and sustain life.
And God designed believers with Truth-absorbing hearts which need the Light of His presence and His Word every day.
God designed believers with Truth-absorbing hearts which need the Light of His presence and His Word every day. Share on X
The last time I placed plants on our sunny kitchen counter, I pondered how I could open my heart more to Christ. We need to turn all sides of our hearts—our thoughts, our words, and our actions—to His Light.
I often speak without thinking and choose my actions without considering God’s will. I need to absorb His light into my heart to grow spiritually—to be more like Jesus.
When we expose each side of our hearts—every fiber of our being—to God’s Holy Spirit, He corrects us (convicts us of sin) and draws us closer as He promotes spiritual health and growth.
And wonder of wonders—He transforms us to be more like Jesus (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18) and offers an adventurous walk with Him each day.
Recently, I asked God to show me areas of my life that need His cleansing light. (I have no trouble discerning His answer for that request. How about you?)
In the next few posts, we’ll talk about how the Light of God’s Presence and His Word change our thoughts, our words, and our actions. I hope you’ll share the insights God teaches you.
But first, let’s ask some questions and seek answers together in Philippians.
Who began and promises to finish the work in our hearts once we surrender to Christ? Of course, we know the answer.
And I am sure of this, that he [God] who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6 ESV*, brackets are mine.
This verse comforts me when I feel like a plant with yellow, drooping leaves. I know He’s always working in my life. I can thank Him as I continue to pray, study, and change as He leads.
How did Paul pray for believers to grow spiritually?
It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:9-10
Pssst. I’m glad that’s His responsibility and not ours, aren’t you?
What goal does Paul suggest for our lives?
Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ … standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.
Philippians 1:27
We know only God can make this possible.
Why does God want to shine His light into our hearts?
It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13
His work benefits us in immeasurable ways but notice the why of His work in the last part of the verse—”for his good pleasure.”
In the next few posts, we’ll talk about turning our thoughts, our words, and our deeds toward the Light of Christ. Choose an outdoor spot or a place in front of a sunny window. Pray and study with me, and please share your insights along the way. I value them.
Until we meet again, let’s pray Psalm 51:10 and ask God to shine His light into our hearts.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Your turn
Please share your thoughts about opening our hearts to Christ so that we can expect healthy spiritual growth. Do you ask an accountability partner how you’re doing in an area you’ve prayed about? Do you journal or write prayers to God? How can we tell when we’re growing in Christ? I can’t wait to hear from you.
When we expose each side of our hearts—every fiber of our being—to God’s Holy Spirit, He corrects us (convicts us of sin) and draws us closer as He promotes spiritual health and growth.. Share on X*All Scripture is taken from the ESV.