Share the Glow

Recently I got to catch up with a friend who I had not seen in a while. As a Christian counselor, I knew that she carries a lot of people’s stories and how heavy that can be. She expressed how she wished she could have more people in her life who lived their faith every day because it gets so dark in her life through the week after Sunday. We need a community of believers around us to have strength through the journey of life because trying to shine the light of God by yourself can feel daunting.

It made me think of how the ancient Egyptians used mirrors to light up the dark places in palaces and tombs. They would position mirrors to shine the natural light of the sun and direct it towards areas that the source could not reach on its own. One mirror could only go so far, but a series of mirrors working together could carry that light further and reach more people. Just watch the first Brendan Fraser “Mummy” movie for an example. Although I couldn’t say it worked as well in real life as it does in the movies.

No one who calls themselves a Christian is perfect, but we are covered by a perfect Savior. That said we do not shine a light of our own making but are passing on a light that comes from Jesus Christ. We need to make sure the light we reflect is the true light and not an artificial light.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light—for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth—testing what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:8-11

When people like my friend spend time reflecting the light of Jesus to others, without having it shown back to them, it can feel like the darkness is able to overtake them. However, when a brother or sister can “share the glow” of radiating that light and love, you can sense the depth of pushing through the dark places. A single star may succeed in shining a light yet cannot hope to fill the whole sky, and therefore can be missed by some. However, a million stars can be seen by many more and are harder to miss. Perhaps that is why the writer of Hebrews said “And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (vs. 24-25) So let’s be dutiful in walking in our faith daily. Not only for ourselves and those we hope to reach, but also for our fellow believers who need to know they are not alone.

Those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3