Day 19 - "Let Your Light Shine"

By Nadir Lawrence, Children's Pastor

…Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.  - Isaiah 60:1

We’re in the final stretch in the last week of seeking breakthrough through the Daniel fast and I’m loving all the testimonies I’ve heard thus far. God is ever present wherever we are and I know that seeking His face during this time has only opened up more opportunities for you to grow as a believer in Christ. One area in particular for me that I’m challenged to grow in is what we’re focusing on this week with breakthrough in Fredericksburg. For an introvert like me, sharing the word with strangers or in public can seem a little daunting but in my past experience the reward has always been greater than the challenge in the end. I’m sure the opportunities we miss to share God with others on a daily basis are probably innumerable and at the same time it can feel like an impossible task to cover. So where do you begin to be a part of the breakthrough for your city?

As I was praying and preparing this week I was having a tough time wrapping my mind around how I could make a difference for the community I live in. And I was reminded of a song I love by Hillsong Kids that we used to sing in Kid’s Crossing worship a few years ago called “Let your light shine”. It’s absolutely precious and is somewhat a more modern rendition of “This little light of mine” for all you “retro” believers out there. :-)  The kids at church loved it especially when we gave them flashlights to turn on during the chorus when we’d shut the lights off to demonstrate not being afraid to let Jesus shine through them. To this day it still puts a huge smile on my face to hear that song and if you want to get your praise on, you can listen to it here.

It may be my current role in children’s ministry but that song just wouldn’t leave my heart this week. How can we be a light in the darkness and let our praise to God bleed through our lifestyle to share with others like it says in Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”? For me it seems easier to be a part of this breakthrough if I start small like being kind to the people who serve you every day or the people you’re waiting in line with at the grocery store, school drop off or everyone’s favorite…the DMV. And don’t think that God won’t give you certain opportunities to share the word with someone when you’re in a rush too. I find it’s when I’m frustrated or short on time when God plants someone right in my path that needs a kind word, smile or prayer. It can be SO easy to miss these moments and let them slip right past you so be on alert, be deliberate and willing to share with others what God has done in your life. Ask God to reveal those people to you who need an encounter with Him and I promise if you ask God for the chance to reach someone in need of Him, He’ll ordain it for you. If we each asked God for this and allowed Him to use us to reach Fredericksburg like ripples in water we could watch God move and stretch His hand out over Fredericksburg in breakthrough and spill over into city after city.

Questions For Reflection:

1. What keeps you from letting your light shine to others in our community?
   
2. What active steps can you take to reach out to the people you encounter in public?
   
3. How can you begin to share your light in your workplace, school, neighborhood?
   

---