Shine On

Isaiah 60:1-2

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”

We’ve all heard of the Dark Ages, that period in history where the light of science and knowledge was absent, but spiritually some of us are still living in the Dark Ages. Satan loves darkness, and he loves to keep us in that darkness, but Jesus came as the Light of the World. Jesus came to bring light to the darkness and drive it away.

Do you remember the story of Moses on Mount Sinai? The children of Israel had crossed through the Red Sea and stopped at Mount Sinai. The Lord agreed to meet with Moses on the top of the mountain and give him the law and further instruction for the people on the way to the Promised Land. Moses went up on the mountain and spent time in the presence of the Lord, and when he came down his face glowed. It glowed!

You and I were created to reflect the image and glory of God. We were made in his image. When we spend time with God, when we allow His light and glory to be around us, we start to reflect that same light and glory. That’s what Isaiah, the prophet, saw when he wrote these lines: Arise, shine, for your light has come. Which light? The Light of the World, Jesus Christ. Jesus has come. We are in relationship with Him as soon as we are saved. In that close proximity, we reflect the light of Jesus to the world around us. It’s our job to reflect Jesus to the dark world we live in. The world won’t see that light any other way until Jesus comes again.

So, Arise. Shine. Reflect the glory of God to the darkened world. Reflect it to you neighbor. Reflect it to your coworker. Reflect it to your family. Spend time with Jesus until your face glows! Then the world will see Jesus in you.

Father, I thank you that you sent your Son, Jesus, to be the light of the world. I thank you that I have the privilege of being in relationship with you and with Jesus. Father, I know the more time I spend with you, the more I will become like you and reflect your glory to the world around me. God, I know people in my life that need your light. They are living in darkness, Lord. Help me to be a reflection of your light in their lives. Help them see Jesus in me, so that they will want to have a relationship with you, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.