Shine
Over a period of time I had been talking and praying with a woman whose desire for reconciliation in her marriage had become the total focus and thrust of her life, as though there could be nothing new in her life until her husband came back. I told her, "Listen, you can' stay stuck this way. You can't stop living. Keep believing, but don't wait for this prayer to be answered and then you'll make plans for your life. You're too valuable. You have gifts and talents. Be the best you can be and take on the new challenges that God has for you now."
I could say that to her because several years ago I had gone through a long period of feeling overwhelmed by a challenge that was so discouraging and wasn't changing. There were times when all I wanted to do was hide away at home, and I went through days when I had all I could do to push through feelings of defeat. Have you ever felt that way? Finally, one day God spoke to me and said, "You cannot live like this. You were made to shine. You need to look out beyond this problem because I have new opportunities. I am still working in the middle of your difficulty."
Are you too focused on a problem that is trying to diminish your joy? The Bible says, "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day" (Proverbs 4:18). It doesn't say some days are meant to be bright and others dim. It says that even in a dark season we are to have a joy and passion for life. Jesus prayed that we may have "the full measure" of His joy within us (John 17:13). He wants us to "shine in this world like stars in the sky" (Philippians 2:15) and live with enthusiasm and with expectancy of what He can do in our lives.
I believe that God has a word for someone who is reading this today. Don't focus so much on an area of your life that needs to change or on something you want to happen. Don't make your plans around an unanswered prayer. God has new things springing up even now (Isaiah 43:18--19). He is saying, "I will make a way through what feels like a wilderness. There are new opportunities, new ways of doing things, and new growth for you. Tap into the light and the joy that I have given you. Keep your eyes on Me and let the light of My face shine on you. No darkness can ever overcome it!"
I could say that to her because several years ago I had gone through a long period of feeling overwhelmed by a challenge that was so discouraging and wasn't changing. There were times when all I wanted to do was hide away at home, and I went through days when I had all I could do to push through feelings of defeat. Have you ever felt that way? Finally, one day God spoke to me and said, "You cannot live like this. You were made to shine. You need to look out beyond this problem because I have new opportunities. I am still working in the middle of your difficulty."
Are you too focused on a problem that is trying to diminish your joy? The Bible says, "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day" (Proverbs 4:18). It doesn't say some days are meant to be bright and others dim. It says that even in a dark season we are to have a joy and passion for life. Jesus prayed that we may have "the full measure" of His joy within us (John 17:13). He wants us to "shine in this world like stars in the sky" (Philippians 2:15) and live with enthusiasm and with expectancy of what He can do in our lives.
I believe that God has a word for someone who is reading this today. Don't focus so much on an area of your life that needs to change or on something you want to happen. Don't make your plans around an unanswered prayer. God has new things springing up even now (Isaiah 43:18--19). He is saying, "I will make a way through what feels like a wilderness. There are new opportunities, new ways of doing things, and new growth for you. Tap into the light and the joy that I have given you. Keep your eyes on Me and let the light of My face shine on you. No darkness can ever overcome it!"