Shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ . . . (Philippians 2:15-16) 

 

“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is an English lullaby. Its lyrics, originally a poem by Jane Taylor, capture the wonder of God’s universe where stars hang “up above the world so high.” In the rarely published later stanzas, the star acts as a guide: “As your bright and tiny spark lights the traveler in the dark.”   

 

In Philippians, Paul challenges believers in Philippi to be blameless and pure as they “shine . . . as lights in the world” while offering the good news of the gospel to all around them (2:15–16). We wonder how we can shine like stars. We often feel inadequate and struggle to think our “light” is bright enough to make a difference. But stars don’t try to be stars. They just are. Light changes our world. And it changes us. God brought physical light into our world (Genesis 1:3); and through Jesus, God brings spiritual light into our lives (John 1:1–4). 

 

We who have God’s light in us are to shine in such a way that those around us see light and are drawn to its source. As effortlessly as a star hanging in the night sky, our light makes a difference because of what it is: Light! When we simply shine, we follow Paul’s directive to “hold forth to the word of life” in a world in deep darkness, and we draw others to the source of our hope: Jesus. 

 

Dear God, may Your light shine out of the very cracks of our beings as we hold out the Word of life to others. Amen.   

 

This devotion blessed me. Today let’s choose to allow our lights to shine so bright so we, as today’s devotions says, draw others to the source of our hope: Jesus. Let your light so shine today and watch others be drawn to that light. 

 

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 

 

Today’s Reading is Hebrews 10:23