Releasing The Light That Shines Within: A Reflection of God’s Glory

Written by Pastor Carmela E. Head

There is something about the breaking of day.  The most anticipated welcoming of the day; that all perpetual beautiful sunrise.  It does not matter where you live or where you are, we all get to wake up to an incomparable beam of light that radiates and warms everything it touches.

Light opens the way.  It illuminates.  Candles, lanterns, lamps all have one thing in common: to enlighten and brighten any dark space or path.  Light warms and brings us comfort like no other.  Light brings us assurance in a place where obscurity exists.  We look for light.  We can’t help it. We are naturally wired to seek out light so that we can see our way, whether at night or in room which needs that flicker of light. As soon as the lightbulb dims it’ shine, we look for ways to make it brighter and off to the store to get new light bulbs.

There is an innate light that shines within all of us.  God gives us uncanny spiritual gifts that remit light to those around us. With each gift given, He has specifically designed each one to manifest and to release the power of God to uplift someone, to encourage someone, to set order in a world of chaos, to offer hope, to illuminate a space where there is no vitality, or even to exude patience or grace where needed.  Our light must shine.  Our light must beam.  Our light must manifest and reflect God’s glory so that someone else’s life can be enhanced.

Someone in the world is waiting for your light, whether it be a smile, a helping hand, evangelism, discipleship, a word of encouragement, hospitality, showing compassion, a practical act of service, or even a listening ear.  Light warms any space and each beam of light we emit, through sharing our spiritual gifts, brings a warm extension of the love of Christ within us to a world that needs it.
 
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned.  Isaiah 9:2

Where is your light? What is your light? Someone needs to hear your gift of song.  hear an affirming word.  your craftsmanship or administrative gift, your leadership style, your wit, your gift of organization, or even your gift of mercy.  Whatever gift you may have, there is always room for your gift to enlighten and illuminate a space that needs it. Here is a word of encouragement, you don’t have to worry about trying to emit your light, light just emits because it is in operation. Jesus gave us these words to encourage us to shed our light:

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5: 14-16 NKJV

As you seek to emulate Christ’s love through using your gifts, like a lantern’s bright light, each space you enter will be enlightened.  Remember that your gift matters to God. We are not to dim our shine.  Shine brightly in the confidence of Christ.  Psalms 100: 3a says, Know that the Lord , He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.
That’s enough word right there to have something to SHINE about!






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