Illuminate Goodness

 

~~~ Proverbs 3: 27-34 ~~~ Psalm 15 ~~~ Luke 8:16-18 ~~~

 

If you are a good person you will shine brightly.

God urges us to extend our good will towards others...

just as he did.

 

God desires for all people to get along.

God desires us to put quarreling and envy aside.

These serve no purpose if you are living your life with the Lord.

 

The Lord delights in the humble one; he shows them kindness.

 

The Proverbs have a slight echo of what we hear in the ten commandments.

 

If you can maintain your goodness in the face of temptation

you will be a light to others.

 

It takes being constantly aware of how you are acting towards others

for your light to shine.

If we are not vigilant in striving to be a better person,

our light will become dim.

If you let little negative things enter into your heart

your light will gradually become dim.

This will happen over time thus you may not even notice,

until one day you discover you no longer have any light left to shine.

 

We need the light not only to shine for others, but for ourselves.

We need to be able to see inside to look at our hearts...

this requires the light of humility.

 

 

I think herein lies the tension...

How do you let your light shine forth and still remain humble?

How do you do right and just things and not let it go to our head?

 

Doing right does not mean that you broadcast it from the rooftops.

The good person does not require acknowledgment.

The good person does not require

the 'job well done' accompanied by a hearty whack on the back.

 

God does not give you pats on the back for doing the right things...

He just expects you will.

 

Living in goodness does require you to take certain actions.

Your goodness must be exemplified by your actions.

It is much easier to reach out to others in loving care

if you first have it in your own heart.

 

I invite you to pause today; 

 imagine what your

heart looks like filled with goodness.

 

This goodness is the light that expels all darkness.

The darkness of temptation and sin.

The darkness of evil, war, and jealousy.

 

This light is given to us by God as he sees fit.

Place this light on a lamp stand for all to see as they enter

into your personal space.

No one can see your light if you keep it locked inside.

 

Light is meant to make visible that which otherwise

would remain in the darkness.

 

Your light is needed in this world!

Please let it illuminate the way for others.