Shine Jesus
I'm a good southern girl! Y’all is my FAVORITE word! If you have a baby or surgery you bet I'm going to bring you a casserole. I say “thank you, please, and yes ma'am!" It's the way we do it in the deep south. Down here we have a church on every corner. In fact, we are still referred to as “The Bible Belt.” I hope it stays that way for a very long time. Sadly, those churches are not full. Church attendance rates over the last 20 years have dropped by 16%. Living in the south kinda feels like we are living in a “good” bubble at times. But our goodness does not save us. Professing with your heart and confessing with your mouth that Jesus Christis your Lord and savior is the only way to get into heaven. Now, should we be good? You bet! It honors and glorifies God. I think down here people associate goodness and good people withbeing believers. But let me repeat, our goodness does not save us! I know plenty of “good people” who do not know Jesus.
I'm very thankful that in the south there is still freedom to be a Christian. I have always raised my children as if their salvation depends on me, knowing that it depends on God. They will not always live with me, but I want to know for sure where they will spend eternity. Equipping them for Heaven is my number one task. Some days it feels like a bigger task than others!
For the last 8 years I led First Priority in my children's schools. First Priority is a bible club that meets before school on public school campuses. A bible study in a public school? Yes! I do not take it for granted that we are able to do that in Alabama. It was such a blessing to be able to lead a bible study with my kids and their peers in school. Each meeting I would challenge the kids to invite a friend next week or pray with a friend before lunch. They took this challenge on full steam ahead with each grade competing against each other to see who could get the most kids praying. This turned into entire grades praying before lunch. It was amazing! Each week I would give them a challenge, but I would also tell them this before they walked out the door, “Shine Jesus, because you might be the only Jesus someone sees today.” Think about that. Shine Jesus! You should take Jesus everywhere you go. In our hearts, our homes, our hallways, and our hobbies. I want someone to look at you and not just think, “wow, what a good person” but “wow, what a Godly person.” They should know that the reason you are different and shine is because of Jesus.
Ephesians 5:1-2a says “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” Paul continues in verses 8-17 with “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed to light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of your time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Our culture is rapidly turning into a place where everything is found as offensive. Something I try to live by is “If it is between offending you or offending our Holy God in heaven, I am offending you.” I don't say that to say I walk around offending people! What I mean by this is that I defend Jesus first even when it is not popular. I do not want to be in darkness but in light, and want to live as an imitator of God. Do not be afraid to stand up for your beliefs, but be wise in having a defense for your beliefs. Back them up with scripture and present them in truth and in love. You are never going to win someone to Jesus in an argument. But with truth and love, shining Jesus, they may not take what you are saying as offensive but eventually respect you enough to realize you are defending the Gospel at which you live by. And in everything, Shine Jesus, because you might be the only Jesus someone sees today!