Day 5 - For His Glory

Day 5: For His Glory

 In the same way, let your light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in heaven.
  
  Matt 5:16 (NIV)

Knowing Jesus in our lives illuminates everything for us. A pretty amazing place to be, right? Right!

He has entrusted to us the assignment of filling the whole world with His glory. Yep, that's right little fire-cracker you're invited to shine brightly for Him. Don’t hear what I’m not saying of course - His glory WILL be revealed, with or without our help!

But you get to play a part in the big revelation. You’ve been given your own candle to hold. Actually: you ARE the candle.

Sometimes it would be much more comfortable to keep your light safe, choosing not to engage with things that might compromise your sparkle. Avoiding situations where it could be diminished or is in danger of being extinguished.

But the revelation of Jesus is for the whole world and He specifically calls you to share it with everyone.

Pointing to Jesus

Of course you could stay warm by your own little fire, fearful that your light isn’t shining brightly enough to do God justice. Afraid that your impatience or pride might deflect from God’s beamingly beautiful perfection.

He knows there will be times we don’t "quite" match up to His glory!

It’s why He gave us Jesus. That’s why it must be Jesus we light up, not ourselves.

It’s in the times you get it wrong, and also those times you get it right, that you'll keep shining for God.

Humility in your apology, owning your mistakes and working to soften your edges, are all examples of how God’s glory gets displayed.

  God calls me to reflect
    His glory.

In our self-centred, individualistic world the danger can be of prideful glee when things go well but also feelings of shame when there’s perceived failure.

Neither of these give glory to Jesus.

It needs to be all about Him.

It's not about you! Yes, you are significant. Of course, you have value. And my word, you sure do shine, beautiful one. But only because of Jesus.

And it’s Him in His glory that we celebrate today.

Don’t try to muster your own lustre. Instead reflect His brilliant blaze.

I love how Paul hits the nail firmly on the head in 2 Corinthians “Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.”

What would life be like if your daily goal was to bring glory to God’s name?

Fill up on Jesus’ beautiful glory. Go, and light up the darkness.

Let's Pray

Jesus,

Thank you that you are ruling and reigning in glory today. Thank you for calling me to reflect your glory to the world around me. Show me where the hurting heart is, where the desperate life is. Holy Spirit, guide me as I seek to shine Jesus’ light in the darkness. Help me light up the night and display the glimmering glory of the risen King of Kings.

Amen

What's Next?

Pretty, twinkly lights shouldn't just be for Christmas! Create a light display that shines and sparkles the love of God to the world around you.

Whether it's in a window seen by passers by, brightening up your handbag with a set of battery powered fairy-lights or adding some sparkle and shine to your daily outfits, take this opportunity to get lit.

What a great conversation starter for when you bump into someone you know. "Oh, why have I decorated my handbag? I'm just using these lights to show off the glory of God!"

We'll be posting some suggestions to inspire you. But today, instead of a download, we'd love to see YOU posting and tagging us as you light things up! Use our @hecallsmeblog handle to share the sparkle!

Listening to: Tim Hughes - Hope and Glory, Bethel Music - Here as in Heaven, Influence Music - Finale

Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 4, Philippians 2:14-18, Romans 8:18-30

Thanks for sharing this series with us!
We're cheering you on as you go out and bring God ALL the glory.

Looking for the series resources? You can find the printables here for free!