LET US BRING GOD’S LIGHT
AND GLORY TO THE WORLD – by the way we show God’s love. We have the ability to show God’s light just the way the sun does. It may not be because of the same process, but it exists in us because God put it there, just as he put the power of light in the sun. Every day as we look at the sun and all the other wonderful parts of creation, we see God’s glory and the great love God has given to all of us through creation. It was into this creation and to all God’s children that God brought the greatest gift of all, the gift of the Christ child. How may we show God’s glory? The first way I always think of is to smile at everyone we meet. Such a little thing can give such joy. We never know who may be affected by this simple act. We do it because God wants us to share the joy of life and love from the Holy One. We can pray to be able to live our lives as if it was so, until one day it becomes just that. God’s grace will make it so. In just one day, a smile is most certainly going to bring a positive influence to at least one other person, besides ourselves. Beyond that, as we live out the intention to love, as God has loved us, we pass on the glory of God. The spirit will be working in us, to add to and perfect our efforts and bring us closer to what God intends for us. God continues to work in and through us, just as in Isaiah’s time. Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”
2 Corinthians 3, talks about how the people were glorifying God, by the way they were living their lives. “Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it … This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. 4 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ.” We are called to live our lives to glorify God and thereby show God’s love and light. That requires us to make a commitment to God and then ask for guidance from the Spirit, as we begin to let go of the distractions of modern life and turn off the voices that would take away our intentions of reflecting God’s glory. In this process we may make decisions that affect our buying, and reject the influence of greedy companies, who want to sell products we don’t need, to support this lifestyle. When we intend to live life on a different basis, the Holy Spirit will help us move in that direction to reflect the light of God’s glory. Joyful and loving God, we are humbled by your great gift of love in Jesus Christ. May we turn to the new life that will show our gratitude and reflect your glory in the way we live with others. Guide us in specific ways that will increase our awareness of how to live in this way. God of glory, feed us. We do this all in the name of the one who is to come, your beloved son, Jesus. Amen. PEACE