Shine As Lights

by Jessica Van Roekel

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life. Philippians 2:14-16, ESV

The starry sky pierces the night like pin pricks in a lampshade. In the winter months, Orion marches across the dark curtain like a moving picture show. The North star glimmers and gleams as a beacon for travelers.

I stand in awe that God hung each star in its place and gave it its name (Psalm 147:4). The stars remind me that light overcomes darkness, and I remember that I have the same power within me.

But I must confess that I struggle to shine. My personal ambitions for glory and my desire for God’s glory wage a little war inside my heart. Because I struggle with my motives, sometimes it’s easier for me to not shine at all. But then I miss being part of God’s story in the world, so since it’s a story I want a part in, I keep wrestling.

God’s light inside us pierces the darkness of those around us who need it the most. Will we shine like stars?

The apostle Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always…. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things… and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:4, 8-9 ESV).

In Philippians 2:14-16, Paul reminds us that apart from God, people live in spiritual darkness. Followers of Christ must shine as lights in the world so that we reflect God’s light and show others the way to him.

Will we complain or rejoice? Will we grumble or lay down our rights?

Our attitudes toward everything we do impacts the way others see or don’t see God. For example, I don’t like cleaning sink drains; the smell makes me wrinkle my nose and curl my lips. But, with three girls in the house, this task needs to be done. I can show Jesus’ light to my family by choosing to do this and other things I don’t like without a grumbling heart.

Stardom comes in servanthood. Not from receiving the most “likes” in our social media pages. Not by being the most popular person in the room or the cool mom. It comes from doing what needs to be done, whether in front of people or behind the scenes, without complaining. We sparkle as we serve God with a willing and happy heart—brightening the world around us.

This article brought to you by the Advance Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Jessica is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who writes at www.welcomegrace.com giving hope-filled inspiration addressing internal hurts in the light of God’s transforming grace. She believes that through Christ our personal histories don’t have to define our present or determine our future. Jessica lives in a rural setting with her husband and family. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

Join the conversation: How do you try to shine like the stars?

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Time to Soak Up the Son-Shine

by Debbie Wilson

Riding home one Saturday night, I caught myself grumbling. My husband and I had picked up Thai takeout for dinner. While we waited for our food, I felt like an alien. Everyone wore facemasks and avoided eye contact. What happened to the friendly South? We rounded the bend and the bright moon interrupted my grumbling. “Look how bright that small sliver of moon is!”

The moon’s brightness stood in beautiful contrast to a day that had been gray, windy, and even briefly snowy. Seeing it helped me understand an admonition from Scripture I needed to ponder, especially with what is going on in our country now.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:8-16 NIV).

God wants His children to live as children of light. He warns us to be very careful in how we walk, because the days are evil. Evil and darkness are synonymous in Scripture. As the lines between good and evil blur, we need the light of true goodness to guide our steps.

How do we shine light in darkness? The same way the moon does.

When Astronauts Neil Armstrong and “Buzz” Aldrin walked on the moon they didn’t discover a glowing orb. Photos of the moon look like pocked concrete. Yet, who hasn’t felt the enchantment of a full moon? Even that small sliver of bright moon made me smile.

Craters and dark areas mar the moon’s surface. It’s beauty and light don’t come from the moon itself. The moon is beautiful only when it reflects the sun.

Whether we deal with the darkness of an inner attitude, bad habit, or what is going on in our nation and the world, we find our way through darkness, not by staring into it, but by following the Son.

Focusing on a bad habit won’t make it go away. In, fact, it’ll probably make it worse. Fretting over the evil and deception around us won’t heal our nation. But focusing on Jesus—the way, the truth, and the life—illuminates our paths and shines on those around us.

Have you felt overwhelmed by the darkness? I have. We become light when, like the moon, we allow a purer light to illuminate us. Here are some tips to help you soak up the Son.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate any area where the world has shaped your thinking instead of the Word.
  
• Write it down.
  
• Write out 1 John 1:9 over your list. Then tear up the sheet and throw it away.
  
• Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His light and help you live wisely (Ephesians. 5:17-21).

The darker the night the more we must keep our eyes glued on Jesus, the true light. Then we will shine as light, walk wisely, and help others find their way.

Everything that is illuminated becomes a light. Ephesians 5:13 NIV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Drawing from her walk with Christ, and years as a Christian counselor, coach, and Bible teacher, Debbie W. Wilson helps women give themselves a break so they can enjoy fruitful and grace-filled lives. She is the author of Little Women, Big God and Give Yourself a Break. Her latest book, Little Faith, Big God, was released in February 2020.

She and her husband Larry founded and run Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit counseling, coaching, and Bible study ministry. She is an AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) certified speaking and writing coach. Debbie enjoys a good mystery, dark chocolate, and the antics of her two standard poodles. Refresh your faith with free resources at debbieWwilson.com.

Join the conversation: Has darkness felt overwhelming to you this early spring?

Just Around the Next Bend

by Pam Farrel

Do all things without grumbling or disputing… Philippians 2:14

As Covid lingers on, I sometimes pause to reflect on the life lessons that God pre-planned for all our lives. It can help us navigate this pandemic that appears to have no end in sight. 

 As youth ministers, we led a bike trip from Northern California, along the ocean to Santa Barbara. The scenery was breath-takingly beautiful, but rigorous: a series of rolling mountains that escalated ever higher and steeper in elevation.  We leaders knew this could be quite physically challenging to most of the students, so we designed shirts to have the week’s motivational motto on the back and shoulders, so the cyclists could see it bold before them on the rider in front of them:  

Nothing’s too tough to make me complain!

That phrase capsulized Paul’s command: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2: 14-15 ESV).

The best way to integrate truth is to live it out. However, while reading a verse is easy, living a verse can be  HARD!

On this arduous bike trip, I was hot, weary, and faint, (but NOT complaining out loud!).  My repeated question to my co-leader spouse was, “How close are we to the finish?”

With optimism, Bill, would reply, “Closer than it was. Perhaps just around the next bend.”  Then we would sing some worship song as we peddled up, up the endless steep grade. Finally, at the mountain peak we paused for a majestic moment, with a bird’s eye view of the ocean stretching out, wrapping us in 180 degree beauty. Sweet victory!

But my most lasting inspiration of this trip was forged by a few of the students. Before one of the narrower bridges, we loaded the bikers on the bus and their bikes in a trailer a truck was pulling. The trailer came unhooked from the truck and banged into the guard rail sending three bikes and a couple suitcases over the rail, down into the Pacific Ocean—never to be seen again!

The amazing attitude of these three teens was stellar! They DID NOT COMPLAIN! Most adults would have caved and whined but not these three brave hearts!  One of the reasons they were able to keep hold of their positive attitude in face of this unexpected loss was all the rest of the youth group swiftly rallied to meet their needs. There were just over 50 teens on this “Nothing’s Too Tough to Make ME Complain” tour—and the vast majority are still walking with Jesus faithfully now forty years later. Today more than 75% of that group hold leadership positions in churches, community groups, mission organizations, pastors, counselors, government officials, and non-profit leaders. We were all transformed by this stalwart commitment to praise instead of pout.

Years later, we began our family, and vowed to raise children who could maintain a sense of strength and courage no matter what life might send their way. We hung a six-foot wooden sign carved into it; “Though shalt not whine”.  If the boys were tempted to moan and whine over chores, mere inconveniences, or minor setbacks, we just pointed to the sign. When real pressures and traumas entered their lives, we would gather as a family to pray Scripture over that son often under that same sign.  We would acknowledge feelings, process them with an attitude of faith, then stand strong on the promises of the Word. The boys took this “Can do” attitude into their futures. Now as leaders of their families and communities, these young men help others cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

Begin your own Powerful Praise journal. Note verses that have carried you in the past, turn them into memes, verses to study deeper, and Bible art to help you navigate your future LOOKING AT WHAT YOU can DO, NOT WHAT YOU CAN’T.  I daily remind myself, as I reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past, meditate on His promises, God will be the power to keep peddling forward.

About the author: Pam Farrel is the Co-Director of Love-Wise, author of 50+ books and co-author of the Discovering the Bible Creative Bible Study series. Go to Love-Wise.com to download your free 30 Day Infectious Joy Bible devotional .

Join the conversation: How do you keep from complaining?