Shine

SHINE! That’s what I’ve been hearing that the Church must do and we are the church. John Lennon said that “We all shine on. Like the moon and the stars and the sun.” But most of us don’t. Matt Redman said “We will shine like stars in the universe. Holding out Your truth in the darkest place.” That’s much closer to where things are. No matter how dark or dismal it seems, we are to follow what Christ said in Matthew 5 when He told us that “You are the light of the world. You are to shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Something needs to burst forth in us so that light is released!

In Judges 7, Gideon is listening to God’s orders in preparation for war against the Midianites and the Amalekites. The army of Gideon is finally pared down to 300 so that all would know that it was God, not man, that brought this victory. Each man carried a sword which can be seen as a metaphor for the word of God in Ephesians 6. They also carried an empty pitcher in which they would put a torch, and upon breaking, would burst forth and shine. At the command to attack, they all yelled, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” They then broke the pitchers and ran into battle with a sword in one hand and a torch in the other. The enemy was routed. This is what we are to envision when we face great odds and overwhelming circumstances. We must embrace what the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us.” When He touches us to reveal His son to others, we are actually broken open to overflow to those He has appointed for us to touch with His glory. As a vessel of God, this light that has been revealed must shine forth.

No matter what the odds, we have Christ in us, the hope of glory. Quitting, because we feel beat down and persecuted, is not an option. Even though we feel our outer person is wearing out, we need to remember that our inner being is being renewed daily. We need to believe that we are overcomers. That regardless of the circumstances, we will stand. We all watch and read things on a daily basis that cause us to wonder what will become of this world and our place in it. What we believe in and who we follow is crucial to overcoming. Read Isaiah 58 and see that we are required to watch for the less fortunate and at all times do your best to worship the Lord. Then your light shall break forth like the morning. And He will guide you. Jesus said in Luke 8 that we are to shine forth. We are not to be put under a basket, but on a lampstand for all to see. But to some, you may appear as a nuisance and they will try to extinguish you. Now, more than any period in a long time, we need to stand up and proclaim who we are. If you wish to follow what man says, then expect to be quite disappointed when you see the end result. Many, who say they represent Christ, are walking hand in hand with politicians and merchandisers and will lead you into a ditch. That is counterfeit light. And all that shines there is a spirit of deception.

Ephesians 5:8 says, “You were once in darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children light.”  We are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of those who remain shrouded in darkness. Speak truth that will expose what they are doing. Remember, Jesus promised us that if you follow Him you will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. And that which is being perpetrated by so many that are called to be leaders, is to only cause confusion and division. In the midst of brutal and perverse culture, be innocent of evil and that which harms your fellow man. Represent Christ so that He is seen in you and attracts, rather than repels, those who are lost. As it says in Philippians 2:15, “Appear among them as shining lights in the universe, offering them the words of eternal life.” Blessings.