Shining Lights

"Do all things without murmurings (complaints) and disputings (arguments): that ye may be blameless (pure) and harmless , the sons of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse (warped) nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." Philippians 2:14-16 (KJV with SyS inserts)

When I was a boy, my parents and grandparents talked of "this crooked and perverse" world we live in. It was very difficult for me to understand how they had arrived at this conclusion. Honestly, I didn't then see anything either crooked or perverse in the world around me.

Over the years, however, as I have matured in discipleship so has my understanding. Our lives are to shine like lights in the darkness of our world -- a warped world. It is warped because God is not worshipped. It is warped because God is not served faithfully. It is warped because God is not accepted, received and believed. It is warped because Christians complain and argue too much and fail to shine.

We can of course complain about that or we can argue about whether it is even an accurate conclusion. In fact, there is no end of things we Christians can complain and argue about. Yet, our complaints and arguments only serve to obstruct our personal relationships as the children of God.

Oh, that I might shine for Jesus! Oh, that I might hold forth the word of life that points souls to Jesus! Oh, that he who won me to Jesus will rejoice in the day of Christ! Oh, that on that day I will not have run or labored in vain!

Dear Father, thank you for reminding us to let nothing keep us from shining for you. Grant to us the faith of our fathers that we will hear your commands and faithfully obey them. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be strong and courageous today shining as lights in the world,