What do prepositions and a light bulb have in common? Let me explain.

All too often when adverse circumstances come our way, we use the wrong prepositions as we evaluate our situation and seek to move on from it. I have asked these questions and you probably have as well:

What about me? . . . Why did this happen to me? . . . What effect will this have on me?
What’s going to become of me? … What’s the next step for me? . . .

The more important prepositions, however, are in and through. Imagine how different our perspective can be if we ask instead

What does God want to do in me?
And, how does God wish to manifest Himself through me?

So what does a light bulb have to do with all of this? The other day, I was changing a light bulb in our carport when I realized that a light bulb is a perfect illustration of “in” and “through.” Think about how a light bulb works. A burst of electricity surges into the light bulb and heats the tungsten filament to such an intense temperature that it glows and emits light.

The electricity provides the heat, and without the heat the glow would not occur. That is the “in” principle. The amazing thing, however, is that the light bulb’s “in” experience creates a “through” effect. Because the filament heats to a glowing hot temperature and emits light, we are able to see more clearly and illumination occurs. That is the “through” principle. The heating of the filament has an effect beyond itself.

As we encounter difficult circumstances in life, we can let God work IN us. God will use the circumstances to refine us, teach us, stretch us, and reveal Himself to us. Then as He works in us, He will – because of how we deal with those circumstances – shine His light THROUGH us so others can see Jesus in us.

For my present painful and challenging season of life, I am choosing to allow God to work IN me in hopes that He will use my experience to manifest Himself THROUGH me. My circumstances are not about, to, on, of, or for me. It’s all about Jesus.

He must increase, but I must decrease. – John 3:30