Shine On!

"He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world" (from The Passion Translation, I Peter 2:9) 

We are facing longer days of darkness here on the East Coast. We've set the clocks back and although I miss the light of Spring and Summer, I embrace the change because it means I'm not getting up in the dark usually.  I like seeing the dawn breaking over the backyard.

Last week I was walking for the first time in days in our town park that is to the south of us. I had to go slow as I was still in recovery from some difficult oral surgery. If I sped up, my mouth would start to throb. I chose the far back of the park to walk in, where there are less people walking/running/biking. In fact, there were only 2  women ahead of me, walking, and one guy passed me on his bike. I had most of the wooded path to my self. 

At one point I was in shadows. It was mid-day but the trees were so thick on this one section of the path, that it seemed later in the day than it was. It led me to this spot pictured above....where the sunlight was just coming through the thinner trees there and it reminded me of the Scripture from I Peter (see above). 

We were called out of darkness...out of our spiritual darkness/sin and when we turn to Christ, He brings us into the Light. We are now one of His.  We can now proclaim the wonder of the Good News to others who are stumbling in the dark. Some people don't even realize they are in the dark, until they feel that pull into the Light. 

Let's keep shining on for God this week. It's going to be a tough one, isn't it, for many people. Our nation is full of hatred, no matter which political party you align yourselves with.  But God reigns! And even though we are not a Christian nation, our nation is filled with Christians... and if we truly love our neighbors as ourselves, the ones in darkness,  they will see the Light shining through us. 

Let's love like Jesus did. Let's draw all kinds of people into our circle like He did. Let's stop the divisions and the lines that are drawn and instead embrace others and begin to know them. Hear their words. Listen to their hearts. So many just want to be heard. Let's stop putting our Christian/Biblical expectations on people who just aren't in the Light yet! Many don't even know they're sinning. Through our actions, we shine light or darkness. It's up to us. The Holy Spirit draws people in His time. Yes, people have a choice. But when they see us...the Believer...truly acting as Jesus did, they may be more drawn to Him.  

Let's love on them, accept them for who they are (remember: we are ALL  created in the image of God!! ).  We are called to love the Lord God with all of our heart, soul, mind.  And we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Light will shine when we follow these great commands. And He will get the glory!

Shine on!