Sunday, August 19, 2012

His Glorious Light by Ann Elaine Broughton




"God is light, in him there is no darkness at all." I John 1:5
"You are the light of the world........In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14,16

    Our church has a beautiful stained glass window of the nativity with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in the manger.  If you look at it in the evening from inside the sanctuary the whole window looks black. There is no indication of the beauty at all that’s hidden in the darkness. On Sunday morning the sun shines through the window, displaying beautiful colors and the manger scene. The gold in the windows literally glitters and sparkles as the sun dances through it.
    I imagine that seeing the stain glass window in the evening is like our lives without Christ, full of darkness.  I Peter 2:9 NIV says: "But, you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." Without Christ in our lives we live in darkness, but when we surrender our lives to Him, His light shines through us. This light purifies us. I John 1:7 NIV tells us: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." Isn't that reassuring?
    Why would people want to stay in darkness when Jesus can bring light into their lives and bring them peace? Just as the light shines through that window and reveals its beauty, so does the Son of God shine through us to reveal His glory to others.     May you shine His love into other people's lives so that they will be blessed and glorify God for your kindness. Do an act of kindness for someone this week in the name of Christ and smile.....You are the light of the world.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for bringing us out of our darkness and purifying us from our sins. Let us shine our lights before men so that others will know your love and be drawn to your glorious light.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Perseverance: A devotion by Ann Broughton

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