Shine!

We are living in troubling times as disparate voices cry out throughout our country saying “Black Lives Matters,” no “All Lives Matter” then “Police Lives Matter.” Some are crying out for solidarity clinging to the supremacy they fear is slipping through their fingers as America becomes more and more diverse.

Some are calling for the recognition of a common humanity to unite against the ugliness of the rising tide of racial prejudice that has long been the elephant in the room in these so called “United” States. A light is being shined on the heart of the American society and a deep darkness is being exposed.

There was a quote posted on Facebook on last Friday that said, “People yell that “President Obama has divided America!” But Obama didn’t divide our country; their unwarranted hatred of him did. Electing him was like turning on a light in a dark room and exposing the cockroaches.” (Kim Lopez)

Yes. There are many voices, calling for many things. Funny though, I’ve not heard many voices calling for people to return to God. Isaiah 55:7 says; “Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive.”

There is no political party or leader, no ruler, or self help guru that can heal what ails the human heart in this world – nobody, but Jesus Christ. Ephesian 2:4 says; “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”

So how does a follower of Jesus respond to all that is going on in the world today? More than ever I believe God is calling His own to be devoted to Him, not a political party — to live for Him, to be a light shining in this present darkness. We can’t say we love and serve Jesus, and hate those he loves. 1 John 4:20 says, “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not seen.”

God is calling us to be SOLD OUT – Singularly, Outrageously, in Love and Devoted to Jesus, not fair weather, I will serve God when it suits me Christians. God is calling for followers of Jesus who boldly stand for truth and walk in God’s love and forgiveness in a world that is full of division and hate.

As Dr. King once said, Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that…” The darker the world gets the brighter we must SHINE! It’s time for followers of Jesus Christ to push back the darkness with the light of God’s love and truth, and refuse to be drawn into the hate and division that is rearing its ugly head. That may mean doing some Spirit-led self-examination in order to cast off our own biases and bitterness so that we can be the light God is calling us to be. SHINE!

¹⁶ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3:16-17

Jane