God calls us to be the light. Sometimes, okay most times, that’s easier said than done. That’s why I’m so happy to have my long time Christian blogging friend, Betsy de Cruz as my guest today for the Shining Like Stars series.
Betsy shares her heart on what it looks like to be the light — even when we don’t feel like it. I bet many of you can relate. I know I sure can. But with Betsy’s godly encouragement I think we’ll find some hope (and maybe even some conviction) to shine our light for others to see.
When You Want to Be the Light
By Betsy de Cruz
The last thing I felt like doing that day was shining for Jesus. I know Jesus calls us to be the light of the world, but the blazing sun had already zapped my energy—did Austin really even need more light?—and the last thing I felt like doing was going to Target to buy baby clothes and driving a half hour to visit my friend home from the hospital after childbirth.
Reading a book in my air-conditioned bedroom sounded more inviting. (What was even wrong with me? My friend was a refugee from a war-torn country, and all I could think about was air-conditioning?)
Somehow, I managed to eke out a prayer for grace and get in the car.
Later the smiling faces of excited children met me at the door and led me upstairs to their mother. When I hugged my friend and saw her sweet angel baby, I realized it was worth it. I enjoyed the visit. Even though my lamp wasn’t burning so brightly, the love of Christ touched my friend.
Jesus said,
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)
Yet some days I don’t feel much like shining.
Have you been there? Your child asks for a snack, and you feel like snapping instead of being kind. The person behind you on the freeway speeds up as you try to change lanes, and irritation overtakes you. The meeting runs longer than it should, and impatience crowds out charitable thoughts towards your boss.
When it feels like our lamp has burned out, we need to draw closer to the Jesus, so He can revive the flame inside us.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). When we follow Jesus, we have the promise of light within us and His light leading us.
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1. Draw Near to the Light
When the Israelites wandered in the desert, God gave them instructions to set up a tent for meeting with Him. (Exodus 25:8,9; Exodus 33:7) After Moses met with God in the tabernacle, his face was shining when he came out. (Exodus 34:34) In a similar fashion, when we spend time with Jesus, our lives shine with a clearer reflection of His light.
I don’t have a tent of meeting in my home, but I do have a sticky kitchen table.
Each morning, that table turns into an altar as I sit down to open my Bible and ask God to speak to me. Some mornings, I even light a candle to remind myself that I am in the presence of God. He turns that sticky kitchen table into a sacred altar.
Tweet This2. Soak in His Light
Friend, if your lamp of faith is sputtering, or you feel weary from shining, may I encourage you to take time to soak in God’s presence? When we take time each morning to meet with God, He fills us again as we read His Word and seek Him in prayer.
I wrote the book More of God to help you experience more of God’s presence in your quiet time, but here are a few tips now:
- Start by praying to ask God to help you sense His presence and hear His voice through Scripture.
- Follow a Bible reading plan.
- Each day read the passage twice. On the second reading, look for words you can turn into prayers for yourself, family, or friends.
- Choose one verse you want to remember throughout the day; write it on a card or snap a picture to take it with you.
Then get ready to shine as you follow Jesus all day.
3. Follow the Light
Let’s remember God doesn’t shine His light on us so we can keep it to ourselves. He calls us to share it with others. As we follow Jesus throughout the day, He will give us opportunities:
- That interruption that drives you crazy? It’s a chance to shine Christ’s love.
- The favor your husband needs? It’s an opportunity to serve.
- Your children’s bickering? God is giving you an occasion to shine grace over them and gently teach them His wisdom.
- That tired woman standing at the corner with a battered sign? You have a chance to shine Christ’s compassion.
As we draw near to Jesus each morning, He turns our sticky kitchen table into a sacred altar. He reignites the light of life inside us. When we walk closely with Him all day, He’ll empower us to shine.
How about you?
How have you felt Jesus calling you to be the light? What practical ways can you do that today?
Psst…if you’re looking for encouragement in your walk with God, Betsy’s book, More of God is on sale this week to mark her 6-month anniversary of its release. You can catch the sale here.
Meet Betsy
Betsy de Cruz writes and speaks to encourage busy, distracted women to get God’s Word in, so they can live their faith out. She wrote the book More of God to help women take small steps to invite more of God’s presence and power into their lives and find creative ways to enjoy spending time with Him. You can find More of God on Amazon. Connect with Betsy online at FaithSpillingOver.com, where she shares Bible study and prayer tips, as well as encouragement for faith and family.
This post is part of the Shining Like Stars series. Read all of them here.
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It all begins by drawing near – perhaps we all need a sticky table (or duct tape) to keep us in the light soaking and soaring. thanks, Betsy!
I love everything about this post, Betsy! Sometimes, I don’t feel like shining either, but I must remember God didn’t shine His light on me so I can keep it to myself. Thanks for the beautiful encouragement!
I love this! May I shine my light brightly even when I don’t feel like it.
This is a great post, Betsy! I think we all have those times when shining feels too much like hard work! It is encouraging to remember that we are called to draw close to God and let him shine through us, that it’s not something we have to work up by ourselves.
Amen! May He empower you to shine, my friend!
Great words of wisdom here, Betsy! I needed them today. The reminder that wherever we study God’s word and seek Him is an altar was so good. I needed the visual.
Glad if it encouraged you today! May the Lord make all of your altars sacred and holy, wherever you seek Him!
Such good advice here, Betsy. Sometimes we forget that we are to shine HIS light, not our own. It takes some of the pressure off when we realize we aren’t the source, but just the reflection. I always appreciate your wisdom!
Thanks for chiming in here, Lisa. You have a lamp that is burning bright, my friend!
Hi, Betsy! I have a sticky table as well, and am always amazed when God meets me there–and so often the way he directs us is right out that nearby door and into a less-than-comfortable meet up with people who need the light he’s given us.
Grateful for your shining here today!
Sometimes mine is the sticky table, but often it’s my worn out couch. Some days it’s my porch with a view. No matter where it is, I’m always amazed God meets me and encourages me to get up from there and shine.
Thanks for being a light where you are, Michele. I’m so happy that we get to shine together.
Blessings always!
Thanks so much, Michele. I wish I could sit across from that sticky table for a cup of tea and a chat. <3
Betsy and Marva, hi! It seems like when we obey God and go where He’s leading, the blessings that come to us can be startling in their enormity.
Probably because it ends up being all about Him and so much less about us.
So good to connect with you again …
Wow, Linda, I love how you’ve said that. I can tell you that it hardly feels comfortable in that moment when I realize it’s not about me. But knowing that it’s ALL about God puts it in a heavenly perspective that I so often need.
Blessings to you!
Thank you, Linda. I know you are shining a bright light, my friend. <3
Thanks so much, Marva, for allowing me to write for your beautiful site. You are a blessing and encouragement, my friend! A woman with a bright light!
Betsy, I’m so glad we’ve had the opportunity to fan the flames for each other these past few years. We each have a light and I’m glad we get to shine for Christ wherever He’s placed us.
Blessings to you, dear friend.
Beautiful examples of how to continue drawing near to Christ so we can continue to shine our light. We cannot be light without going straight to the Source!
That’s so true, Brittany! My light sputters out pretty quick if I don’t stay close to Jesus.