Twinkle Lights
It’s that time of year when the days start to get longer and there is hope of spring in the air. Throughout the winter months it’s dark by the time I leave work and it feels like the day is over much quicker.
Then it begins to be light longer and longer until it doesn’t get dark until almost ten o’clock at night. It’s almost like you having and extra four hours to each day.
Last summer I purchase some solar lights for the deck. Throughout the day they charge and then they shine for the evening. During the darker days of winter they rarely shine at night. But in the summer they stay bright until almost 3 am. They cast a beautiful glow on the deck and it makes for a very inviting place to sit and relax and visit.
I’ve found myself purposely looking at them each night to see how much sun they took in throughout the day. When they are really bright and twinkling I know that it was a sunny day. When they barely glow it’s a reminder that the sun was not shining that day.
I feel like those lights sometimes. Some days I don’t stay focused on God and my heart and attitude are not very bright. In fact they can get quite dark. But on the days that I take in all of Jesus that I can get, I feel like I’m shining and full of joy ready to overflow.
Every day I need my time with the Son. It makes all the difference in my day. How I respond to people and situations is a reflection of whom I’m connected to and I want that to be Jesus.
The bible has several verses that talk about shining like stars and how we can do that. In Philippians 2:14-16 it says, “Do everything without complaining 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.”
Sadly I do complain about many things. Thank you Lord for the reminder that in complaining my light is not shining for You.
Another verse that is helpful is Daniel 12:3, “Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever.” (MSG)
I think of my deck when the lights are glowing and the atmosphere is warm and inviting and I’m reminded that we can be that for others. When we spend time with Jesus and we are filled with His light, we will shine for others and they will feel that same warm inviting atmosphere and want to come close.
This is what Jesus had to say about this, “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 MSG)
Isn’t that awesome! Jesus said we are to let our lights shine. We get to bring joy to a dark and dreary world. When you look up in the sky at night and see all the stars, remember that He has called us to shine just like they do and they shine brightest in the darkness.
My prayer
Father, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to shine for You. Help us to joyfully spend time with You each day to recharge and be made ready to share You with others. Let us be people that live for You and invite others to know You. Let us be a beacon of hope to those in darkness and show them the way to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
Daniel 12:3
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
Philippians 2:14-15 (MSG)
“Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.”