Shine!

Jesus said, “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, The Message)

Reading again these stirring verses from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount,” the word that jumps out to me is “Shine!” Those five letters sum up our calling as God-followers: to shine brightly, carrying the light of Christ into a darkened world. John Wesley (1703-1791) once remarked, “I set myself on fire and people come watch me burn.” He was talking about spiritual immolation—about letting Christ rule in his life to such an extent that his heart would ignite with a passion for the Savior…a passion that would draw others to the warmth and light of Jesus. The Newsboys expressed this same concept well in a song: “Shine! Make ’em wonder what you got; make ’em wish that they were not, on the outside looking bored.” O that my heart, that your heart, would be set ablaze by a love and devotion to Christ, so that the lost and hurting in our midst would see, and feel, and come into the inviting fire of His life shining through us.

O Lord, at times the “flame of faith” that You would have burning in my spirit and soul looks more like a tiny flicker. Reignite my heart, O God! Shine through me. Set me on a hilltop, and let my life show forth Your marvelous light to the world. Amen.