Shine

It’s regrettably, dangerously easy to buddy up to the world and desire to be impressive. Easy to identify with the common desire to feel relevant, to prove that your existence isn’t a big waste of time. All you have to do is start at the bottom and touch that exposed nerve. The one that wants to matter, have impact….you know, leave some kind of mark that you were here.
Next, you come up with a pithy catch phrase – “Live your best life now”, “Your success is yours for the taking.” Or something like that.
Here’s one that I think captures the idea well; "Find your shine!"
Lastly, you make it necessary. You have to shine, or show relevance or whatever because this world will take advantage of you. It will use you up and spit you out with ZERO gratitude. You can’t let that happen.

All of these ideas are tied together and arranged to motivate you to go after a life that you can be proud of.

That’s where the real, yet subliminal misdirection takes place. These ideas shuffle the cards across the table fast and furiously into convincing you that your pride is a right motivation against an unapologetically, unappreciative world.

How can I say this?

Just look at the expected results. If you start pursuing the idea of your best life now, what do you expect to walk away with?
A life that appreciates your importance . Fulfilling employment (based on your happiness). Healthier friendships with a better class of people. Less personal stress. Money in the bank, the ability to travel, maybe not extensively, but every once in a while to fun places with friends.

You want a better you because you want better results for you…just like we all do.

Here's The Word:

Numbers 6:25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

Psalm 4:6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.

Psalm 80:3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 119:135 Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.

The world uses pithy catch phrases all day that encourage you to be all that you can be; It will tell you that love wins, so you don't really have anything to worry about. It will tell you things about the universe and the power of self to motivate you to establish yourself and your direction. To find your shine. I guess I can't argue that it is a profitable endeavor... to find your shine. The bigger question is
Where are you looking for your shine?
Are you looking to establish, create or any other thing that equates to producing it out of yourself? Or do you realize the truth of the matter - that your shine at its absolute best is a reflection. A reflection of TRUE shine.
Some may have a problem with this. They'll look at people who press forward with a steadfast fortitude and made big things happen in this world. But I would say - For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).

We all want to hold our heads high like we've got it all together. But what lengths will we go to in order to promote that perception? This world is fallen and sick with sin, and the simple fact is that we don't have it all together. We struggle and we experience setbacks. However, this doesn't disqualify us from shining. God is the only One who can bring real shine to our otherwise pathetic situation. Don't think that you're okay without Him, you're not. And don't think that He couldn't possibly give you His shine, It glorifies Him to do so.

Ephesians 5:14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

In Him,
Cros