Pastor’s Corner: “Shining & Enduring”
Daniel 12:3 (NLT) – 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
As we read and listen to the news with yet another story of tragedy, corruption, manipulation, lies or evil, there is the temptation to be overwhelmed by the darkness in this world. What can we do? As I prayed, I sensed a gentle whisper within my heart saying: “The only way to get rid of the darkness is to add more light.” As I prayed more about this the Lord put the word “clear-coat “in my mind. The definition of “clear-coat”: An automotive painting technique in which a coating of clear lacquer or other synthetic liquid is applied over the base color to enhance the shine and durability of the paint. The words SHINE & DURABILITY stand out to me. These two words go hand in hand – Isaiah 60:1 (TLB) – Arise, my people! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you. James 1:4 (NIV) – Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
We are not to be overcome by the darkness and give up! We are called to endure and keep shining. John 1:5 (VOICE) – 5 A light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazes through murky bottoms. It cannot and will not be quenched. How can we do this? 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT) – 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. Keep our eyes on Christ, not the darkness.
Don’t let darkness intimidate you. Light is never afraid of darkness; darkness is afraid of light. The darker your surroundings are the brighter your light can shine. Don’t be afraid. It’s not even your light that is shining anyway. It is really the light of Jesus. We cannot do it in our own strength. Trying to go after darkness directly is like chasing your shadow. You can’t bag it up and throw it away. Only light is powerful enough to make the darkness disappear.
Like a light bulb that cannot shine unless it is connected to the lamp – The key is not to try harder but to plug into the source. You don’t have to be beautiful or brilliant to shine your light. All you need to do is surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit and let Jesus shine through you. Trying to shine on our own can be exhausting. Instead, we’re simply called to be closely connected to God and remain in Him. When we do, His light pours forth through us in powerful, brilliant ways that change the world. The ways we shine might not make the news, but they make even more of a difference than we can see.
Notice Jesus did not say, “Make your light shine.” He said, “Let your light shine.” That little three-letter word, let, is so important . When Jesus comes to live in you, and you surrender to Him on a daily basis, you don’t have to force your light to shine. You don’t have to make your light shine. You just let Him shine through you!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton