Tuesday 21 June 2016

Three Sure-Fire Ways to Glow in the Dark


As a lamp magnifies the light within, so as followers of Christ, we are called to magnify Christ by our lives. We do not live as those without hope, and it is how we manage minor, grating annoyances or major life crises that serve to either point to or away from our living hope

Sometimes, if you are like me, we fail to shine for Christ. In Part 1, we looked at two possible reasons we miss the mark in the dark places of our lives.

But there is more to the story. Thankfully, God will never reject a broken and repentant heart, and when we seek Him, He gladly empowers us to light up the darkness. 

But how do we do it? How do we live so that Christ appears big and our lives shine brightly for Him - even in the dark? 

The answers, found throughout God's word, are refreshingly simple. In fact, you may balk at their simplicity, and wonder, 'Is that really all there is to it?' But friends, these three ways are clear and unmistakable yet profoundly powerful when lived out in a Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-filled life. If you choose to follow them you will shine forth as gold. 

Choose a golden attitude.
'Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had'. (Philippians 2:8)   
'Do everything without grumbling and complaining. Do everything readily and cheerfully - no bickering, or second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night...' (Philippians 2:14-16a) 
'And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.' (2 Timothy 2:24)
Use a golden tongue.
'I waited and waited and waited for God. At last He looked; finally He listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God.' (Psalm 40:1-3) 
'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.' (Ephesians 4:29) 
'Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.' (Hebrews 13:15)
Let our praises in the storms of life draw others to our Refuge, and make the most of every opportunity to encourage one another

 Follow the golden rule. 
'Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.' (Luke 6: 31-36)
'Do to others as you would like them to do to you.' (Luke 6:31)

Three simple ways - yes, but easy? No. Impossible, in fact, when we attempt them in our own strength. Oh yeah, some days we master them, but inevitably we fall short. Thankfully, our Father in heaven has given us everything we need for life and godly living. We simply abide in Him and rely on His power to shine His light through us. 

When we stay close to the Light, trusting in His power and purposes for our lives and continually seeking His face, we would naturally shine more and more as we reflect Him in all that we do. And as we glow in the dark places we'd invite others to enter into the sweet fellowship we enjoy with our God. A fellowship filled with peace for the present and security for the future.  



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What about you? 

Has your glow faded? Do you fail to magnify Christ in your life... to shine for Him?

I invite you to join me in taking some time to examine our hearts.

Perhaps the dross of repeated sin is clouding our sparkle. We may be struggling with pride - either consumed by self and its comfort or eagerly desiring the pat on the back or the ego-boosting 'I couldn't have done it without you'. Our passions may be divided, and perhaps we have placed God neatly in the box we have designed for Him. 

Let's pause and reflect and pray unceasingly to the Lord, asking him to shine His light on our hearts, to search us and see if there's any offensive way in us, and to lead us in the way everlasting. Only then can we shine for Him. 


If on the other hand, you are still groping in the darkness, exhausted from trying to light your own way, I invite you to read the good news here or see an outline here. My prayer is that you will accept God's invitation to ignite the flame within you. 

Jesus said, "I am the light of this world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) 


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Today, as you read this, I pray that God will equip us with power anew to shine forth as gold and spread the light of His mercy and love to this sin-darkened world. 
'Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.' (Hebrews 13:20-21)

25 comments:

  1. Hey Carlie!
    I'm so glad to "meet" you! I already know, love, and really appreciate Marva. Now, I'm glad to know she has a wonderful sister as well.
    This post is golden!
    I'll be sharing it today on social media.
    Blessings to you,
    Melanie

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    1. Melanie, thanks so much for your kind words; it's so nice to have you visit! I have been really blessed by your ministry, and I know Marva has as well. Thanks also for sharing this post. I really appreciate it. Blessings to you as you continue to shine for Christ.

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  2. Beautiful article. I'm pinning this up!
    Thanks for featuring Marva. Blessings to you both

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting and pinning this, Ifeoma! So thankful that it was a blessing to you!

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  3. I'm so glad that we get to walk this road together. I look back and laugh at how God had a plan for us to share in this ministry and support each other along the way. You're such a great writer and I long to be like you one day! Your sis, :-)

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    1. Oh, Marv, you made me a little teary-eyed on that one. Yes, God does have a plan and He never ceases to amaze me. I'm so grateful to call you sister. Love you lots! :)

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  4. Hi Carlie, Marva sent me your way. :-)

    I've been working on this very thing in my life lately - particularly in accepting injustice (knowing God will right it in his time), and responding with patience to insolence. It's not easy, but I'm fighting.

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    1. Keep fighting, Jennie, and always remember - you do not fight alone. It's so hard in those ugly places to shine brightly but keep seeking God, and He will be faithful to empower you to light up the darkness. Blessings to you, fellow soldier.

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  5. Loving the golden theme in this post! You make it easy to remember and easy to share.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kelly. At church on Sunday, the kids came up with a mnemonic for it; they called it the golden ATR. I thought it was funny, but it helped them to remember it. :)

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  6. Love the gold references: attitude, tongue, rule. It all points to kindness, something that this world is in great need of. Thank you for being a light!

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    1. Thanks, Andrea! You're so right - it all points to kindness... and ultimately to love... God's love, radiating from Him through us. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.

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  7. I'm so jealous (in a good way!!) that you and your sister blog together!! This is great Carlie. Not only ways to let our lights shine, but also to examine our hearts if our sparkle has dimmed. So glad to meet you!!!

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    1. Dianne, it's so good to have you visit; I've been so blessed by your posts.
      Yes, I'm so grateful to have sisters, and linking up with Marva's sun-shiny, sparkly site is a special gift I'll always treasure. Thanks for your encouraging words.

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  8. Sometimes I do fail to magnify Christ in my life, especially when I am short tempered with my family. I think your golden rules are spot on and pretty much how we should each be living our life every day. Thanks for the reminder. Today I will be better :)

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    1. Yes, Jennifer, we seem to hold it together a lot better when we're out; it's at home we fall apart. But God, is able to make our everyday family moments shine for Him, and on that I rely. Thanks so much for visiting and for your thoughtful comment. Yes, today, I will be better, too... starting this very moment. :)

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  9. Carlie, I just walked through this recently with my daughter. It seems easier to deal with frustration and respond appropriately when hurts have been done to me, but it's really difficult when someone messes with your babies! But I knew it was an opportunity for her to "glow in the dark". My response to seeing her hurt would affect her ability to be a light to this other girl. I guess we both had to practice being the light! Great post! So glad I stopped by from Marva's!

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    1. Alisa, thank you for visiting and for such a thoughtful comment. You're right, our 'mommy instincts' kick in and we just want to protect our babies at all costs, but I'm so glad you found the courage to light the path for her. Helping her to recognize and accept her privilege and opportunity to 'glow in the dark' is one of the best gifts you can give her. She is very blessed to have a mom like you.

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  10. You girls are gold in my book-- I'm finding your posts at just the right time and I see your hearts for Jesus shining through! It's a big struggle to shine some days-- those petty annoyances can dull my sparkle quicker than anything. Thank you for the rich verses to light our way- going to memorize the one about a sacrifice of praise because I know thanksgiving and praise are two guaranteed ways to polish us back to our original glory of shining for him! ♥ Blessings on you today Carlie! SO glad to have found you through Marva's blog!

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    1. Oh, how sweet of you, Heather! You have blessed me so much today. You are so right - thanksgiving and praise! We can't grumble, complain and be all ugly when we are busy praising our Lord in thanksgiving. Thanks for that beautiful summary, and for visiting today. Blessings to you!

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  11. Golden attitude, golden tongue, golden rule, easy to remember! Glad to come to your site, Carlie! Thanks for hosting Marva today!

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting, Betsy!The golden ATR according to my niece.:) Easy to remember and all within the sphere of our choices... yet not so easy to do. But God is able. Thanks again.

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  12. This is beautiful and so encouraging Marva. I always want to shine - I want to be that light - although I think I try too hard and should let God work more through me.

    Thanks so much for sharing!
    xoxo

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    1. Thanks for the kind words, Jennifer. That is so true. I do try too hard... but it doesn't work well. Learning to seek God first and let Him do the shining. Thanks for visiting.

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  13. I love this. Yes, our Father in heaven has given us all that we need for life and Godly living. I'm so thankful for that. I want to glow in dark places and I know I can't do it on my own. Thank you for sharing and linking up with Grace and Truth last week!

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