Stars Can't Shine Without Darkness

This morning as I took Mike to the airport we saw a really bright star. It stood out from all the rest. it looked like a giant diamond on a huge piece of black velvet. It was so beautiful and I was drawn to it. I was reminded of when we lived on the water and there was no light pollution between us and the ocean. Often times I would get up in the middle of the night when there was a full moon and walk on my deck or sit in the living room mesmerized by God's nighttime beauty. It was as if a spot light was on our house. I loved to see the huge bright white moon floating against black velvet with millions of twinkling stars dancing around in the moonlight. The shadows danced on the water way and there was no other light to be seen.

Just as the stars can't shine without darkness, God has called us out of the darkness into His marvelous light! I heard someone once explain that just as there will be no music without silence, stars can't shine without darkness. Just as we would not enjoy the warmth of the summer sun if we had no cloudy skies or chilly days.

1 Peter 2: 9-10, "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."  If you are one of God's children then He is speaking to you. He is letting you know you are chosen! You are His! You have free access directly to Him all the time!

What is a royal priesthood? Because we trust in Jesus we want our lives to be offered in service to God. We are his priests. We should be in service to God even in our daily work whether we are doctors, stay at home moms, custodians, lawyers, pastors, computer programmers, teachers, retirees, disabled, bankers or anything else. Our positions do not matter because we are all equal to God and we must all serve God in our work.

He reminds us that for once we were not a people, but now we are His people. He reminds us that we received mercy to be one of His. He tells us that we are to proclaim the excellencies of Him! That means we are to go out and tell what wonderful things He has done for us. When we do this and bring glory to God we are shining His Light making the world a brighter place.

Philippians 2: 14-16, "'Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain." We must stop our grumbling and arguing about everything in our life. When we are obedient in the hard times (not complaining and fussing) that is when our life cannot be explained as a human personality trait. Others will notice and know that we have something extra special. That is letting our light shine!

Matthew 5: 16, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Notice God did not just say let your light shine. He went on to explain why. We are to glorify God by others being able to see Jesus in us. Notice He also did not say, "tell them". In this verse He said, "let your light shine so that they may see." In other words, He is wanting our walk, not just talk!

We better get busy if we are grateful people. Think about what you have to shine about already this morning and the sun is not even up yet. You woke up. You had shelter. You had food or coffee or at least the option. You have a job. You have transportation. You have family. You have health. And the list goes on. Don't wait for God to tell you what to do. Step out in faith and let your light shine. Someone in your world of influence desperately needs the light that only you can shine!