Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?
I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others,
you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 {MSG}
Prepare yourself! My heart’s become passionate about this topic and I foresee myself sharing quite frequently on it!
We are the Light of the world. Plain and simple.
My passion is this … to encourage you, encourage all of us to shine Light into dark places … starting with our own.
There are many dark “places” in this world. Dark people, dark actions, dark circumstances and situations. Most times, darkness translates into shameful. Things that don’t necessarily bless people by talking about them. So they stay hidden … in the dark.
What I’ve learned? What’s hidden in the dark doesn’t heal.
There are some things we go through in this life that are socially acceptable to talk about and share with others. And then there are things that are embarrassing or shameful and we keep them tucked away into the recesses of our hearts.
But there’s something you should know … the enemy lives in those dark places and he’d love nothing more than for us to keep them hidden and festering … robbing, killing, and destroying every thought or life they touch.
My goal is to be an encourager to all of those who’ve lost their voice. Who are hiding. Who are ashamed. Who are hurting.
That’s not who you are … you were meant for more! Let me encourage you to speak out. Meet with a trusted friend, a pastor, or a mentor. You can begin to heal by shining His Light into your dark places.
John 1:5 says this, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” In the verse above, from Matthew, it says, “By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God.” God sent His Son to be the Light of the world. And then we were charged to be the Light … to “bring out the God-colors in the world.”
We are the light of the world. Let’s begin to bring His healing power into our own dark places, so we can go into the world and shine His blinding light into every dark crevice the enemy is hiding out.
:: We Are ::
performed by Kari Jobe
Every secret, every shame
Every fear, every pain
Live inside the dark
But that’s not who we are
We are children of the day
So wake up sleeper, lift your head
We were meant for more than this
Fight the shadows conquer death
Make the most of the time we have left
:: chorus ::
We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
Let the light shine, let the light shine
We are called to the spread the news
Tell the world the simple truth
Jesus came to save, there’s freedom in His Name
So let His love break through
:: chorus ::
We are the light
We are the light
We are the light
So let Your light shine brighter
We are the light
We are the light
We are the light
Jesus
You are the light
You are the light
You are the light
We will lift You higher
Shine shine shine
:: chorus ::
We gotta shine
We gotta shine (So let the light shine)
We gotta shine
We gotta shine (Let the light shine)
We gotta shine (Let the light shine)
Beautiful, beautiful words! Your passion is clear & precious!
Thank-you for the encouragement!
Jessica
love. “That’s not who you are … you were meant for more!”
Your light shines beautifully for Him my friend.
“What’s hidden in the dark doesn’t heal.” – – such truth here. Love it. Keep encouraging. The world will never have enough champions.
Beautiful, beautiful sentiment here. Thank you for the encouragement! Who among us hasn’t forgotten to let our light shine, or kept struggles hidden in the dark? Love this so much.
You have such a beautiful heart – thank you for sharing! I am stuggling with the dark this morning and this hit home! Thank you.
Thank you for encouraging us with His word and your heart that we can’t continue to carry burdens on our shoulders….God will carry them for us! I am closing my eyes and seeing myself flipping the light switch on! Praying for all that fear of the dark will not hold back anyone’s unique relationship with Him.
Amen!! May we all shine His light brightly today!
Beautiful friend– I love this!!
Thank you so much!
We need this reminder – probably every day!!
Your words speak hope to me today. I’ve been blogging for three years, yet for the first time today, I wrote about a time in my life that I have often referred to as the “dark decade.” I just don’t talk about it much. It’s not that I try to hide the truth of where I’ve been, it’s just that I worry. Worry that it might be too heavy. Worry that it might come across wrong. I know. To worry is silly, right? Anyway, thank you for your encouragement to speak light into the darkness. I am so grateful for the Light, and the indescribable ways He has redeemed even those dark years. How can I not give praise to Him for it?
just participating in #writeitgirl has caused me to come out of hiding a little bit! Not so much in the dark spaces but in the afraid what people will think, trying to please everyone with what I say, etc.
Thank you for the encouragement to shine the light!!
You have a true and beautiful gift!!!!! I love how you encourage ALL of GOD’S kids… :) :).
Amen! His light pierces the darkness. So thankful for the light of Christ that shines brightly through this blog!
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