Shine
Dec
2
Written by:
12/2/2010 1:19 PM
"Let your light so shine before others that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
These words are entrusted to the newly baptized as a candle burns--lit from the Christ candle. Jesus says, "I am the light of the world" --the light that scatters the darkness. His breaking into the world changes the world. His breaking into our lives changes our lives.
And so, as we announce this reality with 3 scoops of water and the Triune name of God we also set our call to obedience--to let our light, and our life, shine.
How do you shine? In what ways does the light of Christ enlighten your actions, words, and deeds?
What would it look like if you hung pictures by the light switches in your house? Every time you turn a light on, say a prayer for the person, people, or place in the picture. Every time you turn the light out you offer a prayer for protection. How would your life be shaped differently if this became your daily devotion.
How would your life be shaped if you spent your time at red stop lights praying for friends and relatives who don't know Jesus? Would it change the way you interact with your friends? Would it change the way you drive? What if you recruit your children in the car to pray with you? How would this shape them--to be praying for people at every opportunity?
This Advent season we use advent wreathes to mark the passing time until the coming of our King. Spend some time this Advent season, every dinner for example, and reflect on the candles' flame. Notice the warmth, the heat, and the way it flickers and responds to the world around it. How can your life shine in the same way--spreading warmth, and light, and responding to the world around you. Let your light shine!
I'm a little crazy. I waited until the first snow fall to put lights up outside our house. In bitter wind and with snow fluttering around I decided to climb my 8 foot ladder to place these little luminous bulbs on my tree. As I plugged them in there was an immediate glow, a warmth. The darkness that closed in around me did not, could not, and will not overcome those little lights--and they are artificial! I turn them on and off on a whim.
Jesus--the Son of God--is the light of the world. There is nothing artificial about Jesus. His light can't be turned off by a switch, a photo cell, or a power failure. Jesus is light. And His light has come to you in baptism. So... Let it shine for others to see!
Copyright ©2010 Pastor Scott