Verse of Light, Shine On!

Ok so Another total God wink this morning! I read a verse that goes with my struggle lately of knowing what to do.  I think it is a great lesson for me as a reclusive introvert (sometimes) and for maybe many of you out there.  You know that struggle with being "seen", like to do something to help someone, or get up front and sing at church, or speak, or any gifts you've been given that can bless another.  Some of us have been pounded over the head with the verse in Matthew 6:3-4:

•  “ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

This talks about giving to the needy and things that you can do without having to be seen.  It warns against bragging like many of the temple leaders were doing back then to receive honor.  And lets be honest, like a lot of people we might know in church today.

I know a lot of people take this to extreme and are afraid of doing anything that they might be noticed.  But it can also be used as a way to keep from doing what God calls us to do.  I found this verse this morning that that interestingly is just a few verses before the above quote in Matthew. 

• Matthew 5:14-16:   “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven"

So yes we need to do good things in secret, but also God calls us to shine our lights.  Not Brag. But shine and share of the good things God is doing in us and using our gifts without hiding.  This way those around us can see what God can do filling us weak jars of clay with His Holy Spirit.   I know I'm encouraged when I see someone else doing good or sharing their gifts even when they were afraid or didn't share before.  I grows and inspires me in my walk with God.

As a single women and as women, we need each other.  We usually get lost under all kinds of hats we wear for work, school, home, church.  We get so distracted being all this other stuff, working out our lives and agenda's that we can forget that God want us to shine and share for Him.  He wants us to shine so that ones like us can be encouraged and gain new strength to do the same.  It is a chain reaction that shines Jesus love and glorifies God exponentially if we let it. Think of what a world full of Jesus light and glory could be.... Awesome! Right?!

The devil is good at twisting things to keep us inactive, distracted, and ineffective for Christ.  There are always pit falls with sticking our heads out of the crowd and showing Jesus in our lives. But if we are so afraid of this than we don't shine, then we hide our light under a bowl and it quickly can be snuffed out and the devil wins.

There is a little song in church when I was a kid that is testament to letting your Jesus light shine.  I'm sure many of you know it.   

This little light of mine. I'm going to let is shine

I think this is going to become and ear worm in my head today. At least that's what my German friend calls it when you get a song stuck in your head.  :)

But what encouragement today to let our lights shine!  Thank you God!
What light are you hiding? What has God done for you lately  that you should share? Or what talent has He been nudging you to share with others?  Maybe it's time you let your Jesus light shine so someone else might find a new life in Him.  Shine On Sisters! Shine On!