When times seem darkest, your light—however small or dim—shines brightest.
We’ve been asked to arrive at church on Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. for a final practice of our worship songs. It means I set my alarm a little earlier than I’d like. But when I arrive at 8, it seems they’re not ready for us.
Should I just sleep later and arrive later, despite the request? I’ve been considering it. Until last Sunday . . . .
Priestly Duties
Sometimes we look around us and see a mess. Fighting in the streets. Mud-throwing from political candidates. Hatred on social media.
Is there any point in trying to make a difference? Or should we all just sleep in?
I wonder how the high priest felt back in the old days. Twice every day—every single day, rain or shine—he had to enter the tabernacle and light the candles in the holy place (Exodus 30:7-8). Who would even notice? Could he slide by and just do it once a day if he was sick or tired or busy?
He had other duties, too. Important ones, like offering sacrifices for the people’s sins. Offering gifts to God on their behalf. Remaining ritually clean beyond anything required by other people.
Yet the sincerest of the priests did it. Why? Because he was called by God to do it. And he took that call seriously.
Called, Not Self-Appointed
As we continue our study in Hebrews 4:14-5:14 this month, we come across these two verses:
“Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.”
Hebrews 5:3-4
We read that the high priest (beginning with Aaron) was invited by name, by God, to lead the people to God Himself.
He had holy garments put on him, was anointed, and consecrated so he could serve the Lord as a priest (Exodus 40:13).
What an honor! In times of trouble and confusion, he was to be a light for the people, shining the presence of God.
Me, Too?
But it gets crazier . . . These also are messy days of trouble and confusion. Who is God calling to shine His presence into the dark places now?
You and me!
We are priests, too.
- A royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)
- Children of light (Ephesians 5:8)
- City on a hill (Matthew 5:14)
As believers in Jesus we have been washed with water, clothed with righteousness, anointed with Jesus’s blood, and set apart for His work so we can serve Him as a priest.
What are our opportunities? Like the priests of old, we are:
- To shine brightly (Matthew 5:16),
- To offer thanks to God for the good gifts He’s given (Hebrews 13:15),
- To point others to Jesus (Ephesians 3:9), the Highest Priest of all (Hebrews 7:27), who heals our pains and washes our sins.
Is becoming a priest an honor we bestow on ourselves? No. We have been invited to wear the Name, not self-appointed. We’ve been called by God to love our family, our friends, even our enemies. Not through our goodness, but through His grace.
We have been strategically positioned to answer the world’s call for help.
When our lights shine, those around us can see clearer themselves, can feel more hopeful about their own lives, and can live more purposeful lives for the glory of the Father.
Priesthood of Honor
Being a priest isn’t always easy. Such as getting up earlier when we’re asked to.
I was reminded last Sunday that arriving at 8 a.m. was about more than singing practice. It was about being a true priest. Arriving early in the sanctuary, we could straighten up the chairs, clean paper off the floor, walk the aisles and pray for souls that would soon be seated there.
We were to prepare the place where God’s people would be gathering.
Be a priest. It’s an honor. And a responsibility.
But we’ve been chosen. Let’s light up and go do it.
To Do This Week
- Read by candlelight.
Light a candle to remember to shine as you read Hebrews 4:14-5:14. - Write it out.
If you’re writing the text by hand this month (see Ali’s suggestion), add in Hebrews 5:3-4. - Three Dark/Three Light.
Write down 3 dark places in your sphere of influence. Pray about 3 or more things you can do this week to bring the light of Jesus to those dark places. Write them brightly on top of and around the dark places.
- Advance it.
Spread hope in your conversations and be a light in your actions this week! - More priestly material?
Check out this chart, “Old Testament Priests & Priesthood.”
Barnes Bible Charts
Do you feel like a priest? Where do you see hopelessness? Where would you most like to shine a light? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Such great advice, Lisa!
Thanks, Liz. It’s advice I need to take myself. :) I went to bed last night thinking about some dark places I had seen earlier in the day. I was grateful for opportunities to pray with a couple of people in those situations, but my heart was still full and needed to give it all to the Lord. It’s all too big for us. May He have mercy on us all!
The really funny thing is that a Buddhist friend once told me that I had the physical ‘mark’ that indicated a calling to the priesthood, and it was something I considered very seriously.
I didn’t follow it, but ‘it’ seemed to follow me, and when I was teaching many students said that talking to me was like talking to their priest back home.
Weird!
I imagine hearing that would have quite an effect, especially when you subsequently took on the role (willingly or not) of a priest. Being marked for priesthood—may we all consider it a serious calling. Thanks for sharing, Andrew.
This is so true about our priestly heritage. The Word is crystal clear and it’s quite a label to wear…if we only believe.
It is definitely a heavy mantle to pick up, but thankfully He equips us for what He calls us…yes, “if only we believe”. Quite a sobering addition, Mary. Thanks for adding that insight!
What a great post, Lisa! I liked several of your ideas: Be a Light. “We have been invited to wear the Name, not self-appointed. And, “We have been strategically positioned to answer the world’s call for help.”
A good man’s steps are ordered by the Lord, so we have been placed exactly where we are for a reason. Let us shine!
Yes, it’s comforting to know that we have been placed right where He wants us to be! I don’t always like it, but most of the time I do. :) Either way, I like knowing that our lives have a divine purpose. Thanks, Jerralea.
Lisa, I’ve been around the DND community for awhile, cheering you all on as you delve into the Word. Hebrews is one meaty book!
I like Number 3 on your list of things to try–the ‘3 Dark/3 Light’ to record in a journal. I’m going to keep that in mind.
God bless you as you shine for Jesus and encourage others along the way.
Thank you for your continued support, Jody! It means a lot. I have been intentionally working on my three this week. There is something about writing it down; it made me feel more committed to actually doing them.
writing it out somehow makes it stick, makes it happen, makes it important.
I agree with you, Linda. It definitely makes a difference for me when I write things down. I’m not sure exactly why, but I’m sure there is science somewhere to support it. :) God did often tell the Israelites to write things down; He obviously knew what He was talking about.
We’ve been called and I do know we have been strategically placed in His timing to be those lights and to not sleep in. You and me. Yes, it starts with you and me.
Agree. It’s both our honor and responsibility to keep shining wherever we’ve been placed. All over the world. We have to trust God knows what He is doing by putting us where He has!
Thank you Lisa for shining a light on these words from Hebrews. My definition of a priest comes from my childhood and the church I grew up in. First of all women are not allowed to be priests and second of all, the priests do not get married. I love how you have opened up my mind to hearing and knowing that we are all called to be priests. Thank you Lisa for a new outlook.
That was my perception of the priesthood as a child too, Mary. There is such freedom in discovering that ALL believers are priests in the Kingdom, regardless of our gender or occupation (and that we can marry, too! ha).
Thanks for this Lisa, I think we all need a nudge when it comes to shining! I’ll also try to remember all this when I’m at MY worship team practice at 8am tomorrow morning waiting for everyone to get organized… ;) Blessings!
Hope your 8am practice went well this morning, Laura. :) I barely made it on time to mine today (and I was especially convicted because I remembered this post, ha). But because I had a couple minutes to spare once I did arrive, I got to speak with a young friend who’s recently moved into her own place and hear how things are going with her. God blesses us in many different ways when we’ll just show up, yes?
I need to remember this: “Just show up.” I think sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves, when God has something entirely different in mind. So much easier to walk in simple obedience and let Him make the decisions. Thanks Lisa. Really needed these words.
I agree, Patti. I know I often put too much pressure on myself. It’s the opposite of faith. It’s definitely a wiser position to let God have it instead, and for us to just be ready and available as needed. :)
This is a wonderful reminder, Lisa. We are all called and it is a very important job. It’s worth the “extra effort” it takes to do the job God called us to do.
Thanks, Lori. I know I often forget that even the little things we do are purposed and planned and meaningful in the Kingdom, so I love being reminded that we all are priests and all our works are important. Thanks for the work you do in your corner of the Kingdom!
This, “When our lights shine, those around us can see clearer themselves, can feel more hopeful about their own lives, and can live more purposeful lives for the glory of the Father.” Amen, sister!
I appreciate the way you let your line shine, June, by always pointing out to us the places you see God, including in the birds and butterflies. You honor the Father!
This is so good! I love the practical ideas in the last couple of paragraphs.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I’ve been reading in Leviticus lately and those priests really had a heavy workload of practical things they had to do. :) I’m thankful that we live on this side of the cross!
I’m a worship leader, so I hear ya on the early morning practice! But oh, what a privilege to sing God’s praises and lead others as we worship him!! Thanks for your encouraging and challenging message and practical application.
Kym, that’s awesome that you have the priestly honor of leading others in praise to our God! May He continue to bless you in your work and joy.
This is a beautiful way of explaining this role we are called for.
We can all be modern day priests.
It is quite a privilege, yes? I need the reminder often that I am indeed a priest! Thanks for stopping by, Lux.