I’ve always been fascinated with astronomy.
Take Earth’s constant companion, the moon, for example. With it’s uniquely designed orb of gas and rock, this celestial figure’s gravitational pull balances our wobbly axis, gives life to tides, and stabilizes environmental changes. One might say the moon has a critically valuable job.
However, this heavenly body is most known for its ability to light up the darkest of nights. Unlike the sun, which is its own source of light, the moon was created to shine by reflecting the sun.
Similar to the moon, we have a substantially far-reaching position. Created to reflect the Son and shine bright for a dark world, we are the gravitational pull stabilizing the environment in which we live.
Let us shine our light so that it points others to the Source. You, my friend, were made to shine!
Key Verse: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Being Light Means Imitating God
All creation points back to this one truth: we revolve around the Son and are created to reflect His light. To mirror Christ’s light and live a life of love, we too must be willing to give. Whether it’s preferences, time, money, or something else, we have to be willing to lay those things down on an altar of love. What is God asking you to sacrifice to reflect Him to the world?
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Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2
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Shining Light Means Finding What Pleases the Lord
As the earth steps in between the sun and moon, we see the phases of the moon shift, illuminating less light. Like a full moon, we shine brightest when nothing is standing in between God and us. Spend time asking God to illuminate the thoughts, actions, and desires interfering with your radiance. Seek to know what pleases the Lord truly.
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- For at one time, you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10
Shining Bright Means You’re Very Careful About How You Live
Without the moons gravitational pull, the earth would wobble, much like the slowing down of a spinning top, creating drastic shifts in the environment. As children of light, we must remain firmly stable in the choices we make, the things we condone, and how we live our lives. Ask God to expose anything creating a wobble in your spiritual spinning top, so, in turn, you can lovingly expose darkness around you.
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Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (13) But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. Ephesians 5:11;13
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Shining Bright Requires Making the Most of Every Opportunity
Because of the moons pull, tides change. A skilled surfer not only knows the timing of tides, taking precautionary measures but also makes the most of every good tide. Knowing the best waves are at sunrise, they arise early. In order to shine bright, we too must arise and make the most of the limited time we have. Today, seek to find an opportunity to arise and shine His love on someone else.
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- Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:14-16
Radiant Light Begins in the Heart
If you’ve ever been around a person filled with joy, you know the light that shines from their eyes, radiating through their smile. Hearts filled with praise and thanksgiving shine a light in the darkness, which the darkness cannot overcome. Sit in His presence thanking Him for the light that drew you out of darkness, praising Him for shining light in your heart (2 Cor 4:6).
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- Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20
This week, may the Lord shine His face upon you (Numbers 6:25) as you choose to reflect His goodness and grace to the dark world.
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