I’ve been struggling to write, specifically about Chapter 11 of The Bridge from OneDayBow. I can blame it on a busy life, a noisy mind, challenging circumstances, or maybe just writer’s block. I did come up with something a couple of weeks ago but when I went to my website to post it, I was locked out – again! Maybe it was just an error or an inconvenience, or maybe it was sign. When I looked again at what I had written it just fell flat.

Today I worked for a few hours on writing and am still coming up short. It was then the quiet nagging in my mind got a little louder and I knew it was time for a confession and a distinction. First the confession:

I like solar lights. How pathetic of a confession is that?! I have been enjoying being in my yard, by myself, with my pretty things. The contrast to that is being in the clamor of noise that often surrounds me. I guess I am trying to hide, a little, some of the time… The solar lights in my yard, along with the cool evening air and the twinkling stars give me a sense of satisfaction and security that is sadly lacking in most of my days.

But sometimes that feels a little like “loving the world”. Or is it trying to escape from the world? Whatever it is, it is a comfort-seeking hideaway. And in all honesty, I have more creature comforts than that. They aren’t bad things, but they can take my focus off what God wants for me. I may have a slight case of bobble block, in my life as well as in my writing.

So now, the distinction part of this. I’m not sure if I’ve said this in the past, but it is probably good to repeat it even if I did. As you read through The Bridge from OneDayBow you can learn a lot about bobbles and what they represent. The allegory is complex, but if I were to put it in the simplest terms: a bobble is anyone or anything that you look to for lasting satisfaction and security apart from God (and this is where it gets sticky…) or alongside God and His Kingdom. In the case of the people in HereAndNow, the tempters use the distraction and deception of the bobbles to fill a need that should be filled by the King. The fragile nature of a bobble illustrates the frail hope they give.

So then, back to my problem. Does that mean that solar lights are bad? Is it that I need God and solar lights to be satisfied? And do I need God and a hefty bank account to feel secure? What is necessary in my life, and what is just nice to have? Can I recognize a temptation for what it is and reject it based on the fact it will make me compromise my relationship with God? Can a solar light take me away from God??? Only if I love it, need it, desire it in a way that is meant to be filled by God alone. Maybe I do have a few too many solar lights, maybe I don’t, but if I’m struggling with the question I may need to be talking to God about it more than I have been. 

The illustration of solar lights may seem silly, but if I don’t contend with that question what will happen when it comes to something more substantial? What if I want a relationship that isn’t approved of by God? What if I consider lying to have three seconds of fame? What if entertainment tries to steal away my holiness, or money tries to persuade me to compromise truth? Is there a bobble big enough to make me leave God behind? That is a sobering question, and one deserving of full consideration.

I have recently watched people I love decide to leave God behind. It is heartbreaking and foolish, and its origin is from the pit of hell. But have no doubt; when it comes to turning away from the truth that is Jesus Christ for love of someone or something else, the devil didn’t make anyone do it. Likely, it didn’t happen overnight. It probably started with a much smaller bobble, one that looked very innocent but led to a compromise that led to another. I don’t say that with my nose high in the air and my finger pointed at the offender. I say it with genuine sorrow, knowing that I have been guilty myself in the past. I am so grateful for the Lord’s (sometimes fierce) kindness that led me to repentance. So grateful…

So, I think I need to declare a moratorium on purchasing solar lights, at least long enough to see how important they really are to me. I will gratefully still enjoy my evenings of quiet, but I will be careful to thank God when I have them and praise Him still when I don’t. I will not hide from the clamor and noise of the world but will make myself available for the work of my King, even when life is hard and people are difficult. And, by God’s grace, what they will see in my life – in every part of my life – will convince them that I really love, trust and desire God supremely.

Bye-bye bobble block!