“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.” Isaiah 60:1
Light is a powerful thing.
At times it can blind us and hinder us from being able to function. At the very same time, we are unable to live without it. It is the light from the sun that allows life itself to survive on our planet.
Light takes us from being lost in the dark, something I know a lot about from my hiking days and not wanting to miss the sunset at the peak, to being being able to navigate and find our way back home.
In a moment, light can change our perspective. We can be looking at the same horizon, picture, person or problem and see it entirely differently when the light shows up.
The love of God does the very same thing. As God’s love comes into our life and fills us up, it changes everything. When God’s truth enters our minds we can help be transformed (Romans 12:1-2).
Isaiah wants his readers (and us!) to know that when we step into and are filled with the light, we begin to broadcast it to the world around us. John says in this way: We love because he loved us. (1 John 4:19) It’s true. You have gifts, talents and treasures God wants to use to bring a taste of heaven to the world around you. Do you believe that?
Hear these words today, reader, and believe them to be true!
Arise, (insert your name here)! Let your light shine for all to see! For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
God’s glory is available to you. Drink it in. Share it with the world around you.
Questions for reflection:
- Where have you found the light of God’s love at work in your own life?
- How has soaking up the glory of God transformed you?
- How are you equipped to share that light and glory with the world around you?
- What is one thing you can do today to bring a glimpse of heaven to the world around us?