From the 26^th floor of the office building, I gazed at the DFW skyline. A patchwork quilt of prairie and urban sprawl covered the ground below. The dusky sky deepened to indigo and the lights of the city switched on like a Lite-Brite board. Neon signs, office buildings with after-hour workers, skyscrapers outlined in yellow highlighting. The eye follows light. Even in the night sky, my eyes hunt for constellations, not the dark spaces in between.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 NIV

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Cor. 4:6-7

So how are we to be light-bearers? Lamps? Stars that twinkle?

1) Talk the talk: ^“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15) Recently I was in a post office. I stood in line where talk turned to kids and the military. Prayer came up, because if you have a kid that serves, you pray. Three women, three races, united in a discussion about prayer, military service, and ornery teenagers. Don’t be afraid to speak.

2) Walk the walk: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (Phil. 2:14-16) If someone saw your walk, would they want what you have? Jesus attracted people in droves. If our only friends are other believers (I’m talking to myself here), what does that say about our Christlikeness? People don't have a problem seeing in a lamp store, but in darkness, a single flame makes a difference. Click To Tweet

3) Love first: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) We should be the first to love, the first to encourage, and the first to pray for those around us. Every one of those around us. Especially those who aren’t like us. Be authentic.

There’s no shortage of darkness. Eyes seek light. So, twinkle, twinkle.

Workout for the Week: Twinkle, Twinkle

Memory Verse: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 NIV

Meditation Passage: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Cor. 4:6-7

Just Do It: Twinkle, twinkle.