Joy in Shining

Time can certainly change our dreams! As a teenager, and even before that, I had a dream to be an actress. Mind you, I didn’t have the looks, but I so enjoyed playing different characters. To those closest to me, you know this is not totally out of my system. It’s still fun to dress up and play a different person. I always enjoyed the acting part of it. But, there is a side to it where we want to be a star! We want to shine or stand out in our field.

I also remember as a teacher signing year books and ending the sentiment with “Always reach for the stars!” I suppose that meant, reach for something higher.

Don’t we all long for something bigger than ourselves? God created us with a desire to be fulfilled. He longs to be that fulfillment in each one of us.

Here’s the thing, we don’t have to have an outside stimulant to make us shine. In Philippians 2:14-15 Paul is telling the church in Philippi, they can all be stars! The following verses are from the Message. He doesn’t use the word stars but you get the point.

^14-16 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.

As a Christ follower, I don’t create my own light. I live as a reflection of the one who made me. We should be different than those around us. We aren’t perfect and we fail every day. But, He calls me to “provide a glimpse of the living God.” Wow! That’s where I find joy! Joy in knowing I’m shining for Him. I’m sharing His light not mine.

Remember, I love you, but God loves you more!