Ahh... It's that time of year again.. Christmas and New Years. The only time of the year where everyone seems to be a little bit nicer than usual. You see more smiles, people laughing, and just a numerous amount of peace in the air. I have been in California for the holiday season for almost 2 weeks now and it has been a blast! We have gotten lots of rain in the past few days.. Today is a great day because there is no rain. At least for now...
During my stay in Southern California, I have seen many houses with Christmas lights. Some houses have a decent amount while others have a vast array of decorative lights. Seeing this sight reminded me of how we as Christians have to let our lights shine to those around us. We don't just wait till the end of the year to put out our lights for just "decoration" either.
Here are some verses that I find fascinating about letting our lights shine.
-2 Corinthians 4:6- "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
-Ephesians 5:8- "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light..."
-Philippians 2:14-15- "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among those whom you shine as lights in the world. "
Final Thoughts:
Although, we don't gloat about how many people do see our light, but we hope to show the world around us that we have something incredible to tell them about. How Jesus came and lived among us and how He suffered on that cruel cross on Calvary, and rose again on the 3rd day so we would have a way to inherit eternal life through putting Christ on in baptism. Through receiving the Holy Spirit when we put Christ on in baptism we come out of the water to live as a faithful Christian through the rest of our lives, even through the hardships and trials we face. Living the Christian life is NOT EASY, but with God' s help and guidance we will finish our race and enter into Heaven where we will spend eternity with God and all of the saints.
May we shine our lights ALL year and not just during the Christmas season.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Yr!
See you all in 2011.
