The Pre-lit tree that became my burning bush

I'm gonna be real honest here, I hate decorating for Christmas.

Okay... So, before you judge me. I am NOT a Scrooge. I love Christmas! I come from a long line of very festive individuals. Some of whom even claim to be an elf.

But, I do not enjoy the process of erecting a 10 foot conifer in my living room. I love the part where its all done and I can enjoy it. My OCD, ADHD, and all my other alphabet friends really get stirred up during this process. So let's just say I was already going into this tree situation with a not so great attitude.

So, I get the tree up and plugged in and that's when the fun began. For the next several hours I fought lights that just DID NOT want to work. I replaced about 50 bulbs, several fuses and at this point I was fit to be tied. Something, somewhere just wasn't doing as it should. I found myself saying out loud to the non working lights, "why cant you just work? Why can't you just work together? Why can't you do what you were literally made to do and just SHINE?!" You see where this is going don't you? I didn't, not yet anyway.

I got angry and started pulling the lights off of the bottom section and as I tossed them to the floor it hit me, HARD.

It was immediate, it was loud and it was unmistakable. The Holy Spirit interrupted my little fit and spoke right to the place in me that I had been avoiding. The place I did not want to deal with.

"Carly, this is you. I want you to shine for Me, but you cannot shine while your heart is tangled with resentment. You cannot shine while you are trying to force everything into place. Your light comes from connection to Me, not control. Just like these lights only shine when they stay connected and work together, division in the body of Christ dims the light you are meant to reflect. So, why can't you do what YOU were literally created to do?"

In that moment I knew He was telling me to share this. This wasn't just for me. It was a reminder for every one of us who call ourselves His. We are the body of Christ, and we were created to shine for Him, together. When even one of us chooses resentment, division or stubbornness instead of peace, the light we are meant to reflect grows dim. Unity IS NOT optional. It is part of our purpose. It is part of our witness. It is part of the way His lights shines through us into a dark world.

As I sat there looking at my half lit tree, I now saw it differently. Every branch mattered. Every connection mattered. One dark place changed the way the whole tree looked. God designed us to live in peace with one another, to build each other up, and to reflect His love in the way we walk together. When our hearts drift from peace, when we hold on to hurt, or when we let our personal preferences matter more than unity, the beauty of the whole is interrupted. The light is not as bright as it could be.

Now, every time I see my tree it reminds me of what He showed me in that moment. I see a picture of what God wants for His people. Stay connectd. Choose unity. Let go of what dims the light and let your life shine for Him!

Romans 12:18- If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Matthew 5:14,16 -“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Ephesians 4:2-3 - Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.