Shine // Philippians 2:14-15

Last week we celebrated the graduation of our Hope Church Preschool Class of 2023. It was such a sweet and special evening culminating the achievements of these precious kiddos. Some of them started when they were mere toddlers and are now heading to kindergarten fully armed with the knowledge of the alphabet, letters, colors, shapes, and Christian values by which we pray will help them stay anchored in a hostile world. The theme for the evening was “shine like stars,” and our key verse was from Philippians 2:14-15: “Do all things without grumbling or arguing so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like stars in the universe….” Let’s face it, we need not turn far to see that we indeed are called to endure a crooked and perverse generation. There are threats all around to a wholesome and spiritual core. The teaching that is done for the kiddos, though, is to help them shine like stars. Picture a perfectly dark, cloudless night. The sky is so dark, but the stars pop through to give light. They twinkle and shine against the backdrop of darkness. Friends, this is a metaphor for everyone. Darkness is everywhere. The Jesus follower should provide such a contrast that the light shines all the brighter. It reminds me when I was shopping for a diamond to go in Tiffany’s engagement ring. The jeweler put the diamond on a black backdrop so all the facets and brilliance would stand out thanks to the stark contrast. This is precisely what we need to think of the Light of the World — JESUS! — living in each and everyone of us. His light shines through us like stars in the universe to prove the world is not void, but full of hope and light. Yes, it can seem at times like the darkness is overwhelming, but one little twinkle can prove there is hope. So, what can you do today to shine like a star in the universe? How can you help someone enduring the heavy darkness by proving the light still shines? Do that and know even the tiniest twinkle can give enough hope for someone to endure just a little longer. Jesus IS coming back, and when He does, that light eternal will shine brilliantly. Until then, Jesus expects you and me to do that job to prove that God is real and is real good. Let’s get to it, shall we?