“Let your light
shine brightly so others may see your virtues and glorify God.” ~ Matthew
5:16
Next week is America’s
Independence Day. For Isabelle, it
reminded her of the many wonderful fireworks shows she’d attended with her
family. There’s something magically
hypnotic about those brilliant colors exploding like rainbows against a dark
sky. Each one draws a pattern into the
sky; unique and breathtaking, never to be precisely repeated.
Some resemble ‘Old Glory’ - changing from red to white
to blue as sparks fall from the heavens, almost touching the earth before
fading away. Others seem to escape the
ground, screaming as they spiral upward sending a trail of hot sparks into the night
air, leaving behind the slightest hint of burnt gunpowder.
In her mind’s eye, a rapid series of rockets followed,
ranging in height and power, exploding across the horizon, like continuous
fountains of brilliance in a garish display of dazzling colors.
All went quiet as if the show had ended. She knew the sponsors deliberately left that
small delay to help build some tension before the grand finale.
Then thousands of shells burst into the sky, like paintballs
on a canvass of stars, igniting the sky from daylight to darkness then back to
daylight, before fading away for the final time, leaving blackness and silence
once more.
Reflecting on her present life experiences, Isabelle thought
the same was true of many of the “fireworks” experiences in our own lives.
Fireworks displays are mesmerizing! Each tiny light burns its way skyward as
perfectly-timed fuses erupt, creating a kaleidoscopic masterpiece high above. But if the shell sits in a covered box,
protected from anything that might ignite it, then the incredible vision of
light it provides is, sadly, never revealed.
We should have faith like fireworks, but expressing our
faith is challenging at times. Putting
our faith forward can rub some people the wrong way. Explaining our convictions can sometimes
result in the opposite effect than was intended.
Yet, God’s Word reveals that we’re called to be a ‘light’ in
the world by living our faith out loud. As
Christians, we must not be afraid to shine God’s light, revealing the beauty of
the Gospel to a dark, anti-Christ world.
Just like the perfectly-timed fuses contained with the
shells of fireworks, the Holy Spirit within us can show us the way to spread
the Light of the world. Watch for
opportunities to share your own faith story. Always be ready to talk about the hope God has
entrusted in you. Take action by serving
others and accepting people right where they are.
What a wondrous display of God’s light to live each day
intentionally, doing our part to love others!
Enjoy this July 4th, be brave and share your faith like fireworks.
Almighty Father, light my lamp, and let it shine
brightly in these dark times. Help me bring Your hope to hearts that feel
defeated. Bring Your love and compassion
to those in pain. Amen
