Arise and Shine

This is a reflection based on Isaiah 60: 1-6. The Israelites are back in the promised land from exile. They then find out that the land has been filled with people of different cultures and religions. They wonder how they should continue to be God's people in the midst of such a diversity. They wonder how they would be able to let Christ shine through them.

Is it not the type of society we are in today? Look around and you will see people from different religious and cultural backgrounds. How do we shine and let all these folks around us see Christ through us?

Isaiah, the prophet, brought a message to the exiles. It is also relevant in today's life for all of us to use. He begins by saying: "Arise, Shine." Then he gives the reasons why we should do this:
1. It is God's time and our time.
2. God's Light has risen upon us and God's glory will cover us.The light is already here. We should just let it shine through us. There is no reason to fear because God is walking with us and His glory will always cover us.
3. Lift up your eyes and look around....The world needs real stuff of life.
4. People should come and proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Don't you see that God's will is that all people may see Him? The only way to do this is arise and shine again. This is going to take an act of faith because it is about obedience and following the Lord wherever He leads us.

It is also about letting God use our single word that comes out of our mouth to encourage, inspire and touch people's hearts. Arise and shine is to offer who we are to God so that every part of our being becomes again God's. Everything we are and everything we do gives praise to the Living God.

Arise and shine means a risk taking mission. It feels uncomfortable to tell people about our faith or religion. However, if we don't tell them, how would they be able to hear the word of God? Our actions and words should be used for that purpose.

Christianity has been what it is today because centuries ago, people like us chose to arise and always shine. They did not let anything or anybody stop them from letting Christ shine through them. They knew that if they did not do it, no one else would.

Today, if you and I do not tell people about Jesus Christ who transforms lives, then the TV, radio, the internet will take our place. ARISE and SHINE!