Devotionals

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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. Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

Opening the curtains of the hotel room, I was excited to see the sun was just beginning to rise. Next to the window was a soft inviting chaise lounge – facing the wrong direction. My mind began to race, trying to decide whether to stand and awkwardly lean to watch the sun rise, or just take my Bible and spend time in study on the lounge. A busy day lay ahead so I knew time with my Father needed to be intentional and full. Thanking Him for the beautiful pink sky, I grabbed a blanket and my study Bible and stretched out on the lounge.

All at once I realized that I had made the right choice choosing the Word and the comfortable spot, because the incredible sunrise was still right before me, reflected on a huge glass building across from my spot. Oh how He loves me! The sunrise was glorious but I did get up to compare at the peak of beauty the true display versus the reflection. The mirrored version was slightly distorted and lacked the brilliance of the original.

Which got me to thinking.

We were told to let our light shine; not make it.

So often we get so caught up in works that we think there is something we need to do to ‘be a witness’ or that there is a formula to effective light shining. In our efforts to reach out to others, we can become well-meaning but insincere faux lights.

Kind of like those fake little tea lights. Yes, you can switch one on and put it in a glass votive and it will appear to be a true candle, but it doesn’t give off any heat nor could you use it to light another candle . . . it’s pretty and it flickers, but beyond ambiance it doesn’t have any use.

We are to let our lights shine. It’s so simple we miss it. When we spend time with our Father, when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us up and to work in our hearts, His light will shine. The fruit of being yielded to Him will be seen, without distortion and His true colors will radiate, giving warmth to those around us. Shine brightly today!

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