MY TIME TO SHINE
Trusting Jesus doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes, it means stepping out in faith, taking action, and moving forward. Other times, it requires waiting—resting in Him and allowing Him to work things out in His timing. We want to fix things ourselves, to hustle and strive for solutions, but sometimes, God says, “Wait. I will fix it. I will work it out.”
Waiting on the Lord is a lesson in trust. I don’t like to wait—maybe you don’t either. But I’ve learned that when I try to force things in my own strength, I often make things worse. Yet, in the waiting, in the surrender, I discover more of who He is. I see His faithfulness in ways I never could when I was trying to take control.
But here’s the thing—when God moves, when He calls, when He directs us—it’s our time to shine.
The Lighthouse Keeper Who Saved a Crew
Imagine a storm hitting without warning, waves crashing against the shore, a fishing boat struggling against the wind. In the darkness, it’s hard to see, hard to navigate. But standing high on a cliff, the lighthouse keeper sees the danger. He rushes to adjust the light, waving a flare, shifting the beam—giving the crew just enough visibility to find their way to safety. The ship is saved, not because the storm stopped, but because the light showed the way.
This is what God calls us to be. We are meant to be lighthouses, standing strong in the storm, pointing others toward the safe harbor of Christ. The world is full of people struggling in darkness, caught in waves of uncertainty, fear, and hopelessness. If we hide our light, if we don’t shine, how will they find their way?
The Power of Light
From the very beginning, God made a distinction between darkness and light. Genesis tells us that God spoke light into existence. And ever since that moment, light has carried power. It reveals truth, gives direction, and drives out fear.
Darkness isn’t the opposite of light—it’s just the absence of it. And when light shows up, darkness has no choice but to flee.
The Bible tells us over and over again about the power of light:
• “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
• “The entrance of your words gives light.” (Psalm 119:130)
• “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
• “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)
Jesus is the light, but He calls us to shine as well. He has placed His light inside of us, not to be hidden, not to be buried under fear or complacency, but to be a beacon for others.
What Dims Our Light?
The problem is, sometimes our light gets dim. Flames die down. Bulbs burn out. Maybe it’s the weight of life, the constant pressures and struggles that wear us down. Maybe it’s doubt, feeling unworthy, like we don’t have what it takes. Maybe it’s fear—fear of rejection, fear of standing out, fear of not being good enough.
Or maybe we’ve just been distracted. We’re so busy keeping up with the world, chasing success, comfort, or approval, that we forget we’re supposed to be reflecting Jesus.
But here’s the good news: light can be reignited.
If your light has dimmed, if you feel like you’ve lost the fire, it’s not too late. You can get it back. The presence of God is the spark that reignites our souls. When we gather together, when we worship, when we pray, when we surround ourselves with people who reflect His goodness, our light shines brighter.
Shining for Others
This past week, I saw what happens when just one person chooses to shine. A midweek service started with heaviness in the room—people carrying burdens, weighed down by life. But as worship began, one person moved forward, lifted her hands, and began to worship with all she had.
And something shifted.
One act of faith was like a match in the dark. Hope began to rise. Faith began to stir. The presence of God filled the room in a new way. And all it took was one person willing to shine.
You never know who needs the light inside of you. You never know who is watching, who is searching, who is longing for someone to point the way.
The Challenge: It’s Time to Shine
Last week, we were reminded that God’s version of us is greater than the version we see. We looked at Moses, who thought he was a failure. Gideon, who thought he was too weak. Jeremiah, who thought he was too young. Peter, who thought he had messed up too badly.
Yet God called every one of them to step out, to shine, to fulfill His purpose.
God is calling you to shine. He has placed you exactly where you are for a reason. You have the ability to light the way for those who are lost, hurting, and searching for something real.
This is your time. This is your moment. It’s your time to shine.
Let’s wipe off the dust of the past. Let’s remove anything that’s been covering our light. Let’s step into all that God has called us to be. Because there’s a world out there trapped in darkness, and they’re waiting for someone to show them the way home.
Will you be that light?
The time is now. It’s your time to shine.
From the very beginning, the enemy has had one goal: to steal what rightfully belongs to God’s people. Jesus made it plain in John 10:10: "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy." The devil isn’t just trying to make life difficult—he wants to take something specific from you. He wants to rob you of your position, your authority, and your identity in Christ.
The book of Jude may be short, but its message is packed with depth and urgency. As we continue through this powerful letter, we find Jude urging believers to contend for the faith—to struggle for it, defend it, and stand firm in it. This isn't about being argumentative or contentious, but about upholding the truth with both boldness and grace.
In Luke 5:4-11, we find a powerful moment between Jesus and Simon Peter. After a long, frustrating night of catching nothing, Jesus tells Peter to launch into the deep and let down his nets for a catch. Peter, exhausted and doubtful, responds, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing. Nevertheless, at Your word, I will let down the net." Did you catch that? Jesus said nets—plural—but Peter only let down one.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt like you weren’t enough? Maybe you’ve been weighed down by past mistakes, insecurities, or the voices of the world telling you that you’ll never measure up. But what if I told you that the version of yourself you see isn’t the version that God sees?
Picture a vineyard, lush with green vines and branches heavy with ripe, juicy grapes. The vine dresser walks through the rows, pruning shears in hand. Every snip and cut, though painful to the branch, is intentional—designed to create space for greater fruitfulness. This image, drawn from John 15, paints a vivid picture of God’s role in our lives.
The message of Isaiah 43 and the testimonies shared are clear: God is in the business of making a way. If He could create rivers in the desert for Israel, heal broken bodies, restore shattered lives, and protect His children in impossible situations, He can do the same for you.
The Christian life is often described as a journey, a walk with God. This metaphor paints a picture of action, progress, and intentionality. In Colossians 1:24–2:15, Paul offers profound insight into what it means to walk in Christ. He challenges believers to stay grounded in the truth of the gospel, to avoid being captivated by hollow philosophies, and to live lives that reflect their faith. His words remind us that our walk is not just about movement, but about moving in the right direction.
As you step into this new year, ask yourself: Am I building a life that stands the test of time? Let this be the year you align your life with His will and bring hope to the valleys around you.
Sacrifice is rarely glamorous. It’s often messy, challenging, and uncomfortable. But woven into its fabric is a profound beauty—a beauty that reveals itself in the blessings and transformations only sacrifice can bring.
The story of Christmas is one of unexpected invitations, unlikely guests, and extraordinary grace. From a humble stable in Bethlehem to the trenches of World War I, the message is clear: God’s table is for everyone.
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