Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

~Isaiah 60:1 ESV

One of my favorite activities at Christmastime every year is driving through the neighborhoods and enjoying the beautiful Christmas lights. Like them, we must shine like the stars. 

The Lights

Like moths to a flame, we are all drawn toward the light, whether it is a brilliant sunset or a blanket of stars on a chilly winter night.

God created us to be drawn to light, not darkness, because God Himself is light. We are drawn to these lesser lights because they are a subtle hint and reflection of the breathtaking wonder of one day seeing God face-to-face.

The Attraction

If we are drawn to little Christmas lights, the hearts of thousands will be gathered to be near Jesus and learn from Him. The light of His love and wisdom shone brighter than a thousand suns and attracted people from everywhere. They were changed by merely being in His presence. Even Moses, after being in God’s presence, had to cover his face with a veil because it shone with the glory of God.

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai … that Moses’ face shone.

~Exodus 34:29a,c NKJV

As Matthew 5:16 ESV says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

If we spend time with God, we will become like Him and shine, reflecting His glory for all to see. I want to glow with God’s glory. How about you?

Think of ways to shine your light so others see Jesus Christ through you.

Heavenly Father, in this season of darkness, draw me ever deeper into Your presence. In that intimacy, may You transform me by Your glory. Let me become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Therefore, like Moses, may I carry Your glory, drawing those in darkness to Your beautiful light. And like Mary, may I welcome Your Spirit to birth a miracle of life and hope within me. May I shine like the stars in the darkness and bring the light of salvation to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: Shine Like the Stars: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly: All Rights Reserved