Shining Bright

We have unprecedented access to the news of the world today, and much of it is full of darkness and strife. Technology opens doors to hearing of the tragedy down the street and also the horrors across the globe. We are continually aware of the suffering of this world and it can become overwhelming to look at all of the pain and heartache. As believers, however, we are called to shine the light of Jesus into the darkness.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.”

Philippians 2:14-16 NET

We shine by speaking the truth, but we also shine, arguably brighter, by living it. This is at the same time a relief and a fearsome challenge, one that we cannot hope to rise to but for the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. 

Paul says we shine by holding on to the word of life, but how do we do that? We can study Scripture. We can follow the example of Jesus in how we live. When we do that, we reflect the light of Jesus in the world. In this way, our lives become tools by which darkness is driven back. Everywhere there is a believer living like Jesus, there is a light. Where there is light, darkness loses ground.