Rise and Shine

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you. – (Isaiah 60:1, HCSB)

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. – (Isaiah 60:1, NIV)

Arise, shine, for your light has broken through! The Eternal One’s brilliance has dawned upon you. – (Isaiah 60:1, VOICE)

The glory of God lives in all who believe, and His light shines through those who are faithful in pursuing Him. His glory is made evident through our lives as we seek to follow after God and do His will. Just like the candle lighting at a Christmas Eve service, what begins as a single flame, soon can fill an entire space with lights burning bright. That single flame did not lessen, but rather it spread and shined all the brighter. The same is true with us. When we allow the Lord’s light to shine through us, it spreads, and the goodness of God is made visible to those around us. May we ever seek the Lord to shine His brilliant light both upon us and through us, as we rise up in the goodness of His grace and love.

O Lord, may Your light,

Shine bright upon me;

So goodness and grace,

Are made known clearly.

Let all that I do,

And all that I say;

Make love evident,

As I choose Your way.

Lead me and guide me,

With each step I take;

Flood me with goodness,

Each morning I wake.

Ever stay near me,

As I choose abide;

Show me each next step,

With arms open wide.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You shine Your lavish light upon us, and kindle the flame within us, so that we may shine brightly into the world. Forgive us for the times that we have kept the light of Your love hidden, or have withheld love when we were meant to shine. Teach us to trust in You to lead us well, for Your grace and goodness flood our hearts with Your light. Show us how to love those around us like You, so that many may come to understand the depth and breadth of Your overwhelming love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever seek You to shine upon us and through us as we navigate each new day. Amen.

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

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

The Blessing of Benevolent Love

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. – (1 Peter 4:8, NIV)

Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins. – (1 Peter 4:8, ERV)

Most of all, love each other steadily and unselfishly, because love makes up for many faults. – (1 Peter 4:8, VOICE)

If we are loving deeply, steadily and unselfishly, we have no room to keep bringing up past mistakes or a laundry list of wrongs. Though there are spaces to use wisdom as far as what we are willing to subject ourselves to, typically, we simply need to get to a space of forgiving and choosing love again. When we forgive in love, our own hearts are released from the weight of whatever went wrong. Even if there are no possible reparations for a relationship, forgiveness is a way to choose love that will release one’s own heart from the heaviness. May we seek the Lord to fill our hearts to overflowing, so that we may love one another steadily and unselfishly, ever seeking to bring out the best in one another.

Lord, lead us in love,

Without selfishness;

May we love deeply,

Like You, relentless.

Grant us eyes to see,

In love, each other;

Forgive and choose love,

Sisters and brothers.

Help us forgive wrongs,

Release all to You;

Make love evident,

In all that we do.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love one another deeply; with steadiness and selflessness. Thank You that as we do, Your love covers over faults and failings. Forgive us for our selfishness that holds onto hurts. Teach us to give all to You, so that we may know Your freedom found in love. Show us how to love those around us completely, so that may know Your love without conditions. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to love steadily and unselfishly. Amen.

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

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34