“Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…”
[Philippians 2:15]
In the United States, we’ve spent many hours of our day in the dark. We set our clocks an hour backwards in November and for most of winter we have been locked into a seemingly long cycle of darkness. But if you’ve noticed, recently the light has begun to shine a little longer, a little brighter. Sunday, we will return back to a cycle of light finally springing ahead to catch the daylight right where we left it.
I can’t help but notice the spiritual parallel. The Bible consists for multiple analogies between light and dark. 1 John chapter 1 is a perfect example. Verse 5 notes “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” While the schemes of the devil seem to darken our day, our faith is grounded in one an irrevocable truth: God IS light.
In Genesis chapter 1, God spoke light into existence. “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Light was created by God as a byproduct of who He is. In heaven there is light because God IS light. His presence alone illuminates the spaces He exists. He created light for us on Earth to govern our physical paths.
Similarly, there is another light set among us to govern our spiritual paths; that light is Jesus. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””, John 8:12. When we think of our lives, we have to think of the presence of God inside of us. When we, baptized believers, possess God’s spirit inside of us we have His illumination inside of our core.
Has a dark winter season of woes ever set into your life? Have you ever felt like the tears you shed at midnight would never cease? If you’ve been there, know you are not alone. Many of us have been there, many are still be there. But, praise be to God, despite the darkness around us, God IS light.
This month’s series “you WILL shine” is a great brick to lay on top of last month’s series “God’s Work Displayed”. I want you to spend some time thinking about what dulls your shine? Is it your job? Your attitude? Your faithlessness? Your fear? What is it that hovers over you making you dim and destitute? When God displays a work inside of you it shines because the work is done through the Light of God’s presence.
Philippians 2:14-16 are the verses that will guide us this month, among a few others. The Bible says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” (Emphasis mine)
Study these verses and let’s start thinking about how we can shine as women among a generation that has lost it’s godly glimmer. The way we take on a tough job, silently submit to our spouse or peacefully pitch in at church can make a huge difference in the lives of unbelievers. These may be small things to us, but to God they are the truest way to show the love of Christ.
Regardless of how dark it may get in our days, or even in our nights, remember…you WILL shine. After all, God said, “let there be light”!
God bless
#tobepraised
