shine on

"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." Philippians 2:14-16

At first glance, i thought someone had made a mistake.  Surely there shouldn't be a period after the word shine. But when i said it out loud, "Shine period", i heard the Voice of God say, "Yes." 

It's been and still is a trying season.  An unexpected gift reminded me of what i needed to hear. SHINE -- PERIOD. As children of God, we need to let the love of Christ shine through us for others to see and know Him.  Yet, in times of difficult testing, when trials are banging at the door, it's sometimes hard to keep our eyes on God instead of the rattling door of our hurting soul. 

The shirt is a bright reminder for me of what God desires:  

Hit with injustice?   shine 
Relationship in shambles?  shine 
Financial hardship at hand?  shine 
Battling sickness?   shine 
Lost identity?   shine 
Filled with loneliness?  shine 
Heart broken?   shine 
Destruction of property? shine
Results/tests unfavorable?   shine 
Overloaded with demands?   shine 
Wronged at work?   shine 

              Shine -- period

Father, although i flicker terribly in times of bitter testing, may nothing ever extinguish Your Light in me.  In my dark, stormy times, i pray for an extra surge of Your strength.  May Your Power be revealed as we witness to other our steadfast connection to the One True Source of Light - You.  

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal