Choose to Shine

Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. – (1 John 2:10, NIV)

Those who love their brothers and sisters live in the light, and there is nothing in them that will make them do wrong. – (1 John 2:10, ERV)

It’s the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God’s light and doesn’t block the light from others. – (1 John 2:10, MSG)

I appreciate the Message translation of this verse tremendously, as it is a powerful reminder that when we choose love, we allow God’s light to shine, yet when we do not, we can actually block the light that God’s love intended for them to receive. God calls and equips us to love yet created us with a free will to choose. As we choose to love, we choose to allow the loving light of God to shine through us to the world. The people around us become more like family, and our hearts expand to give and receive as we were designed through allowing love to lead in all that we say and do. This is not always easy or natural, yet it is always worthwhile. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love so that we may shine His loving light on all who are near us.

When we choose to love,

Christ’s light is made clear;

His love is poured out,

To all who are near.

Brothers and sisters,

Family and friends;

All who cross our path,

For love to extend.

What’s incredible,

Is there’s always more;

The light of God’s love,

Will always endure.

Lord, help us to choose,

To share well Your light;

And love each other,

For Your love delights.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love and share Your light wherever we go and whatever we do. Thank You that You fill us to overflowing when we seek You. Forgive us for the times that we have not chosen love and have hidden the light that You intended to shine through us. Teach us to ever trust in You and to follow the path that You have placed before us. Lead us to love well so that all around us may know the lavish light of Your love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to love one another as sisters and brothers as we allow Your light to shine. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. – Proverbs 13:9

Peace Through Loving People First

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! – (Romans 12:16, NLT)

Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else. – (Romans 12:16, ERV)

Work happily together. Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all! – (Romans 12:16, TLB)

 

We are called to be at peace with one another. One glimpse at the news, and the work that needs to be done becomes overwhelmingly apparent. What if each one of us began exactly where we are planted? In our neighborhood, our school, our workplace, our city? If each one of us treated everyone with value and respect, and recognized that all people have something to contribute, the political, economic, ethnic, religious, and whatever else separates one from another, could be celebrated and appreciated, rather than utilized to divide. Each one of us is infinitely valued and loved by God. If we are called to love as God loves, then why would we not do the same? May we seek the Lord for His heart for each other so that we may be at peace with one another, willing to be kind to all who cross our path, seeing each as one with infinite worth.

 

May we choose to live, 

Harmoniously;

Value each other,

With equality.

Each person offers,

What they have to bring;

From which we can learn,

And grow in new things.

Let us strive for peace,

Through kindness and love;

Give good to others,

Let grace be enough.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to be people of peace with one another. Thank You that peace does not mean that we have to agree on everything or view the world through the same lens, but rather it is a mutual respect for one another that loves, regardless of opinions and perspectives. Thank You for the areas in our life where we have seen and experienced such peace. Forgive us for the places where we have done anything to prevent peace from being present. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would choose to love and listen above all else. Show us how to love those around us, especially those who see the world far differently than we do. May Your peace be present, even in the most unlikely of places. Help hurting hearts come into a lasting relationship with You, the Prince of Peace. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us how to best love and bring peace into the places where we find ourselves each day. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. – Ephesians 4:2