SunSparkleShine

How to Shine Your Light in a Digital World

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If you spend enough time in Christian circles you’ll probably hear the phrase, “shine your light”. It sounds good, right?

But because I’m a practical kinda girl, I’d like to know what that looks like. How do you shine your light?

This is a question I posed in a recent SunSparkleShine newsletter and based on the responses, I knew I needed to open the discussion even more widely.

I’m especially interested in what it means to shine your light in today’s digital age. Because, the truth is, the online world gives us lots of opportunities to be salt and light. And not just to our friends either. With technology, it’s possible to shine our lights far and wide.

Just think about it.

You've probably been encouraged to shine your light for Christ. Just one problem: you don't know how. These ideas will show you how to shine for Christ in this digital age.

Here I am writing to you from a tiny island called Tortola that you’ve probably never even heard of. And I’m amazed to learn (after checking my stats), that I have readers on every single continent of the planet. Yes, some of them are places I’ve never heard of!

It really makes me think of the opportunity AND responsibility I have.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

Shine your light for God’s glory

Ultimately, shining my light is not about me. It’s to benefit others and bring glory to God.

For followers of Christ, shining your light is not optional.

In Matthew 5, Jesus gave an analogy of the town built on a hill. The strategic location of the town is no coincidence, I’m sure. A light on the hill can be seen from miles away, and as a result others are drawn to it.

Similarly, God has given each of us a light to shine and reflect His glory. We shine our lights so that those who are searching for God can find Him.

Thanks to technology, we have new and fresh ways to connect with those who are searching for the Light.

Which brings me to the how. How do we shine God’s light in this digital age?

Shine Your Light Online

Believe it or not, there are many who are turning to Google to search for God. It might sound funny but it’s true. On a regular basis, women are ‘googling’ phrases such as:

  • how to seek God,
  • how to raise children who love Jesus,
  • how to guard my heart in marriage,
  • and so much more.

In a minute, I’ll tell you how I know this.

You've probably been encouraged to shine your light for Christ. Just one problem: you don't know how. These ideas will show you how to shine for Christ in this digital age.

This post includes affiliate links which means if you purchase using a link here, I may receive a commission. It’s no extra cost to you and helps to support this site. Please know that I only share products/resources that I love and trust and which I believe will benefit you. See my full disclosure policy here. 

Shine Your Light on Social

It feels like social media has become our new place to hang out. Instagram happens to be my favorite social media platform at the moment, but I’m also on Facebook and Twitter. Stop by and say hi, won’t you?

But, if you’ve been on any of these platforms lately you might have noticed that some interactions on social media are not all positive.

The way we respond, the things we choose to share (or not share — think modesty) and the discussions we have on social media, all present opportunities for us to shine for Christ.

We get to choose how we will reflect Christ in our online interactions.

Don’t just show up on social media. Show up to shine your light.
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Shine your light, reach and teach

Another place where technology empowers you to shine your light for Christ is in the growing space of online-learning. From ‘how to start a container garden’ to ‘how to make time for what matters most’, you can find a course for just about anything these days.

After creating my first online course last year, I agreed that this is a unique way for us to share our Christian values. So, this year, I’m excited to learn and grow in this area and maybe you are too.

If you have something on your heart to share, creating a course might be the way to go. So, if you’ve ever thought about creating an online course or you’re just looking for some fresh inspiration, join me for the free summit Women Who Create* by Teachable. (Psst…hurry it starts today!)

Women Who Create summit

The Women Who Create 3-day summit (March 26-28), is perfectly timed with Women’s History Month. And just as well, because it features 25 highly successful and transformational female speakers (including former executive producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show + co-president of Harpo studios and OWN, Sheri Salata, Marie Forleo, and Nicole Walters to name a few).These women know the ins and outs of creating a successful business and brand and are making a positive impact.

Women Who Create is completely free. Check out the lineup here.

I’m looking forward to learning from the best in the business so that I can reach and teach others, and ultimately influence them for Christ.

Plus, I was pretty much sold on Women Who Create when I read this line on the conference page: “ANYONE can become a creator. All you have to do is say yes to the creator inside of you.” I’d love to see more and more Christian women answering that call.

But back to this idea of Googling God.

Think about how we find out anything these days. We just start by asking Google whatever it is we’re searching for and wait to see what pops up. So, it’s possible for those who are searching for God to find encouragement right there online.

Thanks to Google, it’s as if the one who’s searching is being paired with the one who offers hope and encouragement.

Here’s a sampling of some of the searches being conducted on Google and the articles that pop up in response. These are posts written by friends of mine who have also made it their goal to shine for Christ in this digital age. There are many more, but we’ll start with these to show you what I mean.

Maybe you’re searching for these too.

Ask Google. Watch God answer.

Ask Google: how to guard your heart in marriage?

Ask Google: how does God carry me?

Search on Google for: how to break down strong walls.

Ask Google: what are the qualities of a good shepherd?

Search on Google for: how to seek God first every day?

  • Google says: 5 Ways to Seek God First Every Day by Deb Wolf
5 Ways to Seek God First Every Day of the Year

Ask Google: praying to be a better wife

  • Google says: 5 Things I Pray for myself to Become a Better Wife by Carmen Brown
5 Things I pray for myself to become a better wife.

Search on Google for: peace when life feels abnormal

Search on Google for: confident Christian woman

Search on Google for: 1 Corinthians 13 for moms

Ask Google: what every man wants to hear?

  • Google says: 5 Important Things Every Man Wants to Hear by Melanie Redd
5 Important Things Every Man Wants to Hear

Search on Google for: hope when life is difficult

  • Google says: A Prayer for Hope when Life is Difficult by Lori Schumaker
A Prayer for Hope When Life Is Difficult

Search on Google for: stuck in a prayer funk

Search on Google for: war room for moms

  • Google says: 6 Truths You Need to Know About Your War Room by Ruthie Gray
6 truths you need to know about war room

Search on Google for: make bible study a priority

  • Google says: 5 Ways to Make Bible Study a Priority in the Mornings by Arabah Joy
5 Ways to Make Bible Study a Priority in the Mornings

Ask Google: how to be a courageous woman?

So, you see what I mean about Googling God?

Technology affords us the opportunity to be beacons of light on the web. What a blessing that God shows up when we (Google) search for Him.

I don’t know if God is saying, You will seek me and find me when you Google me. But it’s a start, isn’t it?

Did God say, ‘You will seek me and find me when you Google me with all your heart?’ He might as well had.
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Try Googling God and watch how He shows up!

How about you?

What unique or unconventional ways have you found to shine your light in this digital age? Join the conversation below and let us know.

Wishing you blessings,

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Comments

  2. Theresa Boedeker says

    Marva, with the internet and social media we can reach a large audience and shine His light to a lot more than we could reach in print. Our words can also be Googled and read years later. Which is a bit sobering. Let us be faithful with our words.

  3. Valerie says

    What a creative post! It reminds when Tim Tebow wrote John 3:16 on his face and millions of people googled it. What a complete joy and honor to know we can shine our light on social media AND in our community. Thank you for sharing my post too. Love you friend!

  4. Deborah says

    Marva, Thank you for this beautifully written post, filled with so many rays of encouragement. Keep shining the light!

  6. Rebecca Jones says

    I too have readers from all over, and I thought it was fun to click the translator and see how many languages my posts could be read in. Believers should be shining His light and love into the darkness of the world.

  7. Laurie says

    Beautiful encouragement, Marva. I think that in order to give God’s light room to shine through us and onto others, we must first get rid of some “self”. There are many ways to let God’s light shine through us. Every time we help out at the food pantry, visit an ailing neighbor, or even smile at the elderly person you pass on the sidewalk, God’s light is shining through us.

  9. Lynn says

    There is so much ‘light’ here, on this page. It always sparkles! When I post on Instagram, I hope to bring God’s beauty to the world w/o interruption or the distraction of words. Just quiet spaces you could find yourself reflecting on God’s creations. And on my blog I hope to be shining who God is through His word lately. And think that’s how God wants me to shine His light currently….through His bible teachings and creations.

    • Marva | Sun Sparkle Shine says

      I always enjoy your Instagram photos, Lynn! Your beautiful images remind me of God’s creativity in nature, that’s for sure. Thank you for showing up, answering His call and being a beacon of light and hope.

      Blessings!

  10. Diana says

    I choose not to go digital, no social media at all, I tried it for a bit, it does not work for me. I wasn’t made for this digital world,it is so very confusing for me.
    I pray to go out and physical embrace and be there for others.
    God bless you and your ministry! I pray I am able to shine light on others as you do!
    Thank you for your inspiration! 🙏👼💕

    • Marva | Sun Sparkle Shine says

      Thanks for joining the conversation, Diana. I’m glad you figured out that social media’s not for you rather than trying to fit in with what many others are doing. I don’t think it’s for everyone, and in fact, every now and again I think it’s good to take breaks away from it all. Ultimately, there’s so much freedom in following where God’s lead, whether on- or off- line and I have every reason to believe that you are shining His light right where you are!
      Be blessed!

    • Sarah Cole says

      I feel you Diana! I had to take a break from social media for mental health reasons. I’m now slowly getting back onto Social Media for the very reason this post talks about! I’m promoting my own blog, which is about encouraging people to seek Jesus through seasons of brokenness, depression, and loneliness.

      Also, Marva, I saw that Women Who Create summit and really wanted to see some of it! Unfortunately this week with my young kids was a bit too stressful for me to participate. I am bummed I missed it, but love your call for Christian women to tap into their creative side to shine light for Jesus!

      • Marva | Sun Sparkle Shine says

        Sarah, I totally respect your decision to take breaks when you need to, but I also appreciate your heart to shine God’s light through it all. God sees you, and He will bless and protect your heart (and your mental health).

        I loved the Teachable summit even if I didn’t get to catch up on all the sessions. Let’s lean on God’s timing; we know it’s always perfect and He will provide just what we need when we need it!
        Thanks for joining the conversation and sharing your heart so willingly.

  12. Angela Johnson says

    Marva, this post was wonderful and very thought-provoking. I am praying that I shine my light more and I do a better job of reaching out in this digital ministry.

  13. Debbie Kitterman says

    Marva – I love this post and I love how when you google God topics there are many names that pop up that are Christians Bloggers I know. 🙂 Yes, Let your light shine on social media !!!

  14. Tai East says

    Marva, this is such a GREAT post! I really appreciate you for sharing such helpful resources. Although, I’m late, I just went ahead and signed up for the Women Who Create conference anyway. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing! Hugs and blessings to you, Sister! 🤗🙏🏾

    • Marva | Sun Sparkle Shine says

      That’s great, Tai. I hope you’ve been able to benefit from some of the Women Who Create sessions. I’ve been finding it so helpful and a ton of ideas have been spinning in my head. 🙂
      I’m glad you enjoyed the post!

  15. Anita Ojeda says

    Amen! Shine on! It’s too easy to get trapped in the negative of social media–but all we need to do is focus on the beautiful–to seek it out with intention. It’s there, just waiting for us. And when we spread that good new, we help push back the darkness.

  16. Lisa notes says

    I love that we can find God all over the internet if we’ll search with a pure heart (and pure words!). 🙂 Thanks for shining your light in our digital world, Marva.

    • Marva | Sun Sparkle Shine says

      That’s right. It’s like the Bible says, we will seek Him and find Him when we seek with all our hearts. Who knew that that would include Google searches! Unconventional for sure, but God has a way of planting seeds for His word to take root.
      Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lisa.

  17. Joy says

    Hi Marva! You share some great resources and tremendous encouragement about what it means to “shine our light.” Thanks and blessings to you as you continue to shine!

  18. Tea With Jennifer says

    Hi Marva,
    Called to shine for God through sharing my personal experience intertwined with professional clinical counseling experience over a cuppa 😀
    Blessings,
    Jennifer

  19. Lesley says

    It’s amazing how God can use our words to impact people on the other side of the world! Thanks for this encouragement to keep shining our light for him!

  21. Diana | Diana’s Diaries says

    We google everything in this digital age and what a blessing it is that God’s Word shows up at the perfect moment to comfort and uplift us .

    May we ever be a shining light to the Light of our lives .

    Thank you for including two of my posts as well.

    • Marva | Sun Sparkle Shine says

      It’s my pleasure, Diana. I love how God uses our words to light the way for others to find Him. And I love, love, love how you show up with integrity, wisdom and gentleness to shine for Him. I love you, dear friend.

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