Encouragement

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Let Your Light Shine In Spite Of Your Differences
©
by

Stephen A. Peterson


As the Christmas season approaches (from Thanksgiving Day through the celebration of the arrival of the Three Magi on January 6th), strings of lights will be strung on Christmas trees in businesses, in and outside of homes throughout communities in the United States. The beauty of the colors and music that may be observed accompanying the multitude of lights combine to make Christmas a most festive and beautiful scene!

A correlation can be seen among Christian people who are like-minded in their commitment to Jesus Christ. Each person in the Body of Christ is unique in looks, abilities and in their understanding of their relationship to the Lord. Each “shines” at different times as they exercise and exudes their unique talents and abilities. Each is independent and yet linked by a cord. For all share the same power source—the Holy Spirit through God’s Word and the Sacraments as instituted by Jesus Christ, Himself.

But is it not frustrating to plug in a strand of Christmas lights only to discover no illumination? The cause—a short in the circuit inhibiting the true beauty of the multitude of lights to shine forth. And so it happens within the fellowship of Christians. When one individual has a problem or is burned out, for whatever reason, it affects Christ’s Body of believers. Their beauty is not shown nor their radiance dulled because of some minuscule difference.

May the Body of Christ be mutually encouraged by each other’s expression of faith in the Body of Christ in spite the doctrinal and philosophical differences as we serve our God out of thankfulness for the new life and light the Father gives us through Our Lord, Jesus Christ!


Prayer: Almighty Father, empower Your faithful by the Holy Spirit to be shining witnesses of Your mercy, compassion and unconditional love in a world beset by darkness and difference. Amen

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