In California we just stopped observing Daylight Savings Time by turning our clocks back one hour. Now the mornings are lighter, but the late afternoons darken quickly. In addition, the days are shortening as the night eclipses them in a march toward the winter solstice. This week I noticed anew how the extended nights reveal a splendor display of stars. Have you pondered that a star glows bright by burning up? It’s whole purpose is to use its energy to shine until it has nothing left to give. Likewise, your purpose is to live life by giving of yourself in order to make the most of God. Yet as you expend all your resources you won’t burn out, because God continues to fill you. He is your loving, infinite, pure, and eternal source.
Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12, 9:5). Anyone who follows him is also. Jesus taught his disciples, “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). Like a star you are designed to shine in a dark and hopeless world so people can come to know the truth and salvation of God (Philippians 2:1-18; 1 John 1:5-7). Living this way, will cost you time, talent, and treasure. But that is why they were given to you. That sacrifice is good and necessary. You should lay down your life in love (Luke 9:23-26). When you do, you and others gain the greater blessing of knowing God and becoming like him through Jesus.
Although you are called to burn up, you don’t have to burn out. Unlike a star which consumes it’s own resources until they are depleted, your source and strength exist beyond yourself. As you give of yourself, God wonderfully fills you with more of himself. The apostle Paul encouraged believers, “A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 7-10). Like daily bread, living water, a nourishing vine, and a good shepherd, Jesus is your way, your truth, your resurrection, and your life (John 6:35-51; John 7:37-39; John 15:1-5; John 10:7-14; John 11:17-44; John 14:6). He is Yahweh, the great and all encompassing, “I Am” who fulfills your every need and faithfully completes you (Exodus 3:13-15; John 8:56-59; Hebrews 1:1-4, 12:2; John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-20).
Don’t veil the radiance of God in you by growing weary, shrinking from fear, declining into complacency, or being preoccupied. Jesus didn’t do that. He humbled himself, trusted God the Father, and obeyed to the point of death in order to save the world. Therefore God exalted him, granting him victory over sin, death, disease, and Satan. He raised and restored Jesus to the right hand of his throne. Soon Jesus will return to earth to consummate his kingdom (Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9-15; Hebrews 12:1-3; Matthew 28:18-20; John 14:1-3; Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 19:11-21:8). The prophet Isaiah recorded God’s commission for Jesus, the Messiah, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). You are called to more than living life for yourself. That is too small a thing for you. Through Jesus at work in you, God wants to save people from all over the world. One third of them still need to be reached. How will you respond?
Former president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, once inspired Americans with this statement, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” I challenge you to apply this to your relationship with God. Don’t only seek what he can do for you. Also ask where is God at work and how can you join him? Humbly approach each day being faithful, available, and teachable. Reflect him. See with his eyes, discern with his mind, care with his heart, speak with his voice, and serve with his hands and feet. Let God transform you like he did the apostles Peter, Andrew, James, and John. As they followed Jesus they progressed from a common life as fishermen to an extraordinary, missional life as fishers of men. Be the minister of reconciliation, God designed you to be in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Like Zion, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:1). Burn bright.
Note: For inspiration on burning bright, you might enjoy the song, “Rise” by Danny Gokey.