Some Things Never Change

~~~ Philippians 2:12-18 ~~~ Psalm 27 ~~~ Luke 14:25-33 ~~~

....in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life...

Ever since St. Paul penned these ominous words
each subsequent generation has found evidence to confirm them.
Every generation feels that the current generation
is worse than the previous one.
Maybe it is because we are not able to see just
how corrupt and perverse
 the time is in which we are living.

Maybe that is our curse from original sin...to forever
 be in a time of turmoil and unrest.
Each generation tries to improve on what they perceive
 to be the 'sins' of the previous generation.
Sometimes the sins of the current generation have not truly improved.
Each generation may not make the exact same mistakes,
but mistakes are indeed made.
The whole world from time to time has experienced
 doom and gloom...
destruction and despair,
we must hold steadfast to the truth of God's words.

He is our light and our salvation...
in him we must place our trust...he is the way...he is the life.

Are you living as the light that you are in our world?
We are all here together; just imagine how bright our world
would be if we were all able to shine with the Light of Christ.

As we know a light cannot be hidden under a bushel basket,
it will escape through the smallest of cracks.
Our light was given to us from God.
His love for us is what keeps our light powered.

It is up to us how and where we will shine our light.

Our light might just be a tiny spark darting about the dying embers,
but light none the less.
Our light might be a small candle flickering in the darkness.
Our light might be a strong beacon, like a search light
scanning the night sky. 

We have a responsibility to shine our light for the glory of God.
If it happens that our goodnees
 be connected to his light, then we are cooperating
with the Lord.
If our light shines it should be to bring people of our
 crooked and perverse generation back to the word of the Lord.

Many tiny lights standing together make
for one powerful source of light.
No one can casually walk past a bright
 light shining into their face.
Our light must be noticed,
not for ourselves,
 but for the sake of the whole world.

God is depending on us to let our
light shine into our world of darkness.

Are you up for the task?
Join a group who is willing to find
ways to shine their light in spite of corruption.

It only takes one candle to dispel darkness.
You could be that single light.
Blessed with this challenge and responsibility.
Let the light of the Lord shine through you...
How many ways...how many directions...how long must you shine?

Do not be deterred to shine your light.
Every generation has been given this identical opportunity.
Now it is our turn.

~~~Shine in Peace~~~