Devotion: Is Your Light Shining?

 

 “All the darkness in the world can’t extinguish the light from a single candle.” ~St. Francis of Assisi

Advent is upon us. This beautiful season of preparation, hope, and anticipation for our Savior’s birth begs us to slow down and savor. Advent calendars are eagerly opened each day. Pink and purple candles are aglow. Prayers of peace, hope, love, and joy are abounding. I find it all just so beautiful.

All that to say…

Sometimes I feel that I completely miss Advent in the attempt to get everything done by Christmas. This is my busy season at work. I eat, breathe, and sleep work 24/7. I prepare for deadlines versus preparing for the arrival of Christ. In the very season that I am beckoned to slow down and reflect, I go at warp speed to do all. the. things.

Somehow, I have lost the focus of honoring the whole season—not just Christmas Day.

I want to change. No. I need to change.

[Tweet “I need to slow down and really savor Advent, to remember why Jesus came in the first place.”]

I need to breathe in each prayer of hope, joy, and peace; to fill my heart and soul up with so much love that I am spiritually ready for the coming year instead of running on fumes.

I need to light the candles of my Advent wreath that haven’t been lit in years, to remember that Jesus is the Light of the World and that we are called to be lights in this dark world too.

As I sit here, watching the candle in front of me flicker, I am thinking about my favorite childhood song, This Little Light of Mine:

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won’t let Satan blow it out.
I’m gonna let it shine.
Won’t let Satan blow it out.
I’m gonna let it shine.Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes.
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine ‘til Jesus comes.
I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, no!
I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, no!
I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

How absolutely perfect for this Advent season—I pray that we all can slow down just a little more and shine a little brighter so the whole wide world can see the true glow of our beautiful Savior.

This year, I will prepare for Christ, not my never-ending deadlines.

This year, I won’t let busyness extinguish my light.

This year, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

 Lord, thank you for sending Your light into this dark world so long ago. Jesus truly is an everlasting light for our path, leading us all to Your truth and love. Help us slow down and savor the beauty of this Advent season, all while helping us to shine Your light bright to this hurting world. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection 

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”’  (John 8:12 NIV)

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)

Reach for More

This week’s challenge is to slow down and shine bright. Take an honest look at your schedule and see if God comes first or if the hustle and bustle of the holidays has taken over. If God is taking a back seat, see what can come off your plate to make room for Him. Take ten minutes each day to get quiet with Him and pray. Ask God how you can better be a light for His world, and follow His promptings.

Dear friends, you can do this. Be courageous, and remember that one small act of love is so much greater than none at all.

Please, come back and leave a comment telling us about how God spoke to you this week, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Sarah Lundgren has a passion for all things sparkly, loves God with her whole heart, and is known to love Starbucks chai lattes a whole lot, too. Sarah is currently snuggled in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan with her sweet hubby, J, and her full-time job is making pretty things all day long for her Etsy business, so sarah designs, but she also loves writing devotional content here at The Glorious Table.