By Danita Hiles
‘..therefore, you all shine like stars in the universe to this crooked generation…’ Philippians 2:15
I read the verse above last week and to be honest, I just wasn’t feeling it.
Apparently this is one of those bottom line verses. A command, not a suggestion.
You should shine. Period.
But sometimes, friends, I just don’t feel very shiny. How about you? Do you ever feel that life has just dragged you through the mud?
That stress and sadness and fear and frustration have rubbed at you and taken all of the shiny off of your life?
That you want to affect your generation but it seems impossible to ‘shine like stars’ when life has shattered you into a thousand pieces. When the aftermath of loss seems to go on and on and on.
“I will shine later,” we tell the Lord – “when I am over this grief and my head is clear and I figure out what I want to be when I grow up. When the house is cleaner and I’m sure my kids are going to be ok and when I’ve lost ten pounds. I will shine someday, I just know I will.”
But this verse is written in present tense. You. Shine. Now.
How is that even possible?
I think sometimes we forget that God has sifted everything that has happened in our lives through His hands. And the very things we think disqualify us from shining, may be the things He will use to radically affect the folks we come in contact with.
Think about a glowstick. Just a simple glowstick. A four inch hunk of plastic with some pale liquid inside. It is not until you crack the glowstick that you break the clear inner vial. The two liquids swirl together and magically begin to glow. And everyone around is drawn to the glow in the darkness.
I believe that is exactly what God wants to do with our brokenness. When we surrender to Him, and allow the Holy Spirit to flow into every crack and crevice of the ugly that has entered our lives, He will shine brighter than we can ever imagine. Somehow, our brokenness serves to allow more of God in our lives. I believe your greatest misery will become your greatest ministry if you will just allow Him to shine through you.
If you’re weird like me and love visual aids, go to Wal-mart or the Dollar store and pick up a few glowsticks. As you crack a glowstick, surrender your brokenness to Him anew, and watch the glow begin. As the hurt and fear and confusion of life’s tough stuff mix with the grace and healing of His love, amazing things can happen. Might even be a perfect time to grab the kids, put on some praise music and dance around bit, glowsticks twirling!
As you spend time with the One who loves you best, may He fill up every crevice of your brokenness until you positively glow for Him.
Shine on, sweet sisters. Shine on.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey thank you for what you do you have touched my life today and this is what i needed. I sometimes feel like i try so hard to do everything for every body.
thank you again
Dear Danita–I feel like you are writing my story!!!! Thanks so very much!!! I am going to go and get one of those glowsticks at lunch!!! Blessings Barb
Danita,
Thanks so much for this message today! Absolutely LOVED it! I could totally relate to not feeling like shining, but so grateful for your perspective. Shine on, sister, shine on!
Blessings!
Julie
Thank you for this! I am struggling with shining. I’m struggling with praising God through my storm. I can sing, I can smile, but it all seems like a front and I hate being fake. Someone told me to “fake it till you make it”. As a Christian that doesn’t seem right, all that comes to mind is God knows my heart, He knows that I’m faking it, so why bother?
I do see so many opportunities that I’ve had to share my faith because of my current struggles. Also all the opportunities that I’ve had to share with friends who are hurting. I’m just tired of hurting, I did what was right. I get that doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but gee, how much longer does it have to hurt? How much longer will I ache and cry? I need a glow stick.
This so brings me back to the conference and your session and how we danced and swung the glow sticks around — how fun and freeing that was and very impactful in my life. I don’t always shine as I should but am thankful that I do shine because of Christ in me! I might have to buy some and make it a dance around the house fun party with my kids tomorrow!
Me too, Julie.
That is a moment I will never forget to see all of us dancing and giving Him our brokenness in exchange for more of Him. Precious Monique- , please do go get a glowstick and as you crack it, I pray He meets you right there. Sometimes, no matter what we know, the reality of today still stinks! And we can only cling to His promise that He is close to the brokenhearted. You glow, girl…even when you don’t feel it. Sending hugs and hope and healing out to you.