Author Darlene J. Conard

A profound gratitude washed over me as I considered the countless moments that could have unfolded differently. Where might my journey have taken me if someone hadn’t been willing to stand in the gap, fervently praying for my well-being?

In a heartfelt discussion with my friend, we probed into the profound significance of radiating God’s light in our lives. I found myself distancing from embracing God’s teachings as a sinner due to the approach of certain Christians. Their calamitous warnings of eternal damnation did nothing to draw me closer to God; instead, I felt pushed away by their lack of compassion and nurturing. Their self-righteous tone seemed to proclaim, “Look at my righteousness!”

David Phelps wrote a song called Live Like a King. The lyrics go like this,

  My thirst for the things of this earth
Isn’t quenched by diamonds or pearls
One Man lived the life that I want.
He’s the One they said ruled the world.

Though He only wore a crown of thorns
And He never owned a thing.

I want to live like a King.
I want to live like a King.
And my decree it will ring.
“Love will rule everything.”
I want to live like a King.

This King did the strangest of things.
He befriended the sick and the poor.
There was no one too wrong, too right, too black, too white for Him to Love
He built no walls, left no unopened doors.
Well, now I could croon a million other tunes.
There is just one I want to sing.

I want to be stronger; I want to be wiser.
I just want to make every move be the one He’d want to see from me.
There’s just such power, such healing power.
In every word that He said, in every deed that He did

This world has heard enough preaching; now, we need a demonstration of the Holy Ghost’s power! Reflectors were designed to reflect subjects in the dark. People who work in the mines are required to wear reflective clothing, and people walking in the dark should wear bright clothing to be spotted. We are living in a dark world. If we aren’t reflecting God’s glory, how will they see? They need something tangible, not religious and ceremonial.

My prayer is to be as much like Jesus as possible. For the Holy Ghost to cleanse me of all unrighteousness so that I can be a reflector of God’s glory. It’s time for us to be the church and stop being ceremonial. The building is not the church; we are the church.

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