Philippians tells us to “…become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Phil 2:15 NIV).
Are there ever any times when it could be fun to be in the dark? Maybe! I remember when I was a kid; we would turn out the lights and hide in a room for someone to find us.
Riding through a dark tunnel on some kind of amusement ride was also fun. For sleeping, the dark is nice but beyond those few exceptions, the dark is not usually a very good experience. I remember once being out camping on a very dark cloudy night. Our flashlights lost power and it was so dark we couldn’t see where we were. It was a terrifying experience.
You and I are surrounded by people that have sources of natural light around them but in their hearts and spirits this world is presenting to them greater levels of darkness.
The world is beginning to test the waters to get darker in what it throws at people as far as profanity, sexual immorality, perverse behaviors, and materials of the occult. How do people feel about it? Some are naive or blinded and just don’t think about it.
Others are nervous about it but don’t understand spiritual things. Deep inside they know they don’t like it but they don’t know how to identify this darkness nor do they know what to do about it.
There is one thing you can always count on that is absolutely true. For the people that recognize they don’t like the dark, they want to gravitate toward light. If you love Jesus and are living for Him, you are that source of light they are most attracted to. Since this isn’t natural light, it’s something they sense about you. They are drawn to it.
Are you ready with your answers when they indicate they sense your light and want to know what is “that something” about you? Are you equipped? Can you share something with them about the source of your light? Do you have a “light manual” you could give to them?
The verse above says that as we let God change us and help us to become blameless and pure children of God amongst the darkness and depraved, that we can shine like stars in the universe.
I was out in the woods last night. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and those stars were so bright. I could only hold in awe the handiwork of God. You and I are that handiwork of God. When you carry Him in your heart and let Him shine through you, then don’t be surprised to find out that people are watching you and are drawn to you.
Sometimes it’s important to go out and preach the gospel. Other times it’s important just to let people see it in action through your life. They’ll come to gaze more. Be ready!
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Timothy Burt is a pastor, author, and writer. He is best known as the author of Fresh Manna, a daily devotional and online Bible study.
Pastor Tim became a part of the leadership team at Living Word Christian Center in 1984 and was an Associate Pastor from 1989 until May 31st, 2017. He and His wife Renee, also a Pastor at Living Word, resigned after being a part of Living Word for 33 years on May 31, 2017. They felt impressed by God to pursue the tremendous growth of their ministry "Fresh Manna," as well as teaching conferences and seminars and increasing their involvement in the mission field through Tim and Renee Burt Ministries. Tim has a Bachelor of Theology degree and is a Christian blogger who has been writing a daily inspirational and teaching devotion three days a week called "Fresh Manna" for the past 22 years. It has been read in over 227 countries (official countries and territories). Tim was named one of the top 55 blogging Pastors. He is one of the top Social Media influencers in Minnesota with a strong presence on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TimBurt with over 187,000 followers. Between Tim's Fresh Manna Devotional and Twitter influence, he virally averages reaching over 4 million people daily with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of God.
Prior to working at LWCC, he worked at Northwest Airlines for 13 years. In 1985 he founded and was President of American Infant Care Products which marketed his patented invention, the first fold-down commercial infant changing table now used worldwide in public restrooms.
In their tenure at Living Word, Timothy Burt and his wife Renee created a Small Group Ministry when the church was about 800 people in size. Under the leadership of Sr. Pastors Mac and Lynne Hammond, the church grew to over 10,000 people. Pastor Tim and Renee led a diverse Small Group Ministry of over 200 groups. Tim also led weekly men's groups and a monthly Men's Breakfast of 250 plus men called Manhood for 27 years. Tim's responsibilities also included oversight over the Visitor and Member Relations Department, Leadership and Volunteer Development, and the Pastoral Care Department. Pastor Tim was also the Minnesota State Director of Christians United for Israel from 2006 thru 2017.
Tim and Renee are the parents of four children and have seven grandchildren. Tim loves to write, golf, run, and walk, and is a master gardener. He is a five-time marathon finisher. He is also a three-time award-winning gardener winning the Grand Prize in his city for his beautiful home garden and is a Master Gardener for the University of Minnesota's Master Gardener Extension Program.