You were made to SHINE!


When I was in 6th grade I remember playing soccer on the field of North Middle School. There was one gal there who positively GLOWED with goodness!

I no longer remember her name ... but I SURE remember her...

She was the type of person who was kind to EVERYONE.  Someone who never had an unkind word to say, who constantly looked for ways to build people up, and whose "light" radiated into the lives of every single person she encountered.

Since then I've seen a few people like that.

  • Bethany Hamilton (the woman who had her arm bit off by a shark while surfing as a young girl.  She was once on the show The Amazing Race - and you couldn't help but like her because she had such a positive countenance)
  • Nick Vujicic (the Australian who was born without arms or legs and once thought about suicide, but has since leaned into God's purpose for his life, and now is an INCREDIBLE evangelist)

And I've met a few as well - 

  • Carter Hayes (a young man I met while serving on a mission trip in Haiti)
  • Barb Pilat (a woman whose smile lights up a room)
  • Barbara Brown Stasik (a sorority sister, and the town of Yale Michigan's biggest cheerleader)
  • Sabrina Bland (an amazing woman whose faith has taken her in marvelous directions)
  • My Dad (someone who anticipated needs and served)
When you see or meet people like these - you know in an INSTANT the goodness of their hearts.  It's INCREDIBLE!

Friends - I believe that we were MADE to shine.  

The Bible says this - "You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone." - Matthew 5:14-15

Today - I pray our lamps will be a beacon to others - a brilliant lighthouse - pointing the way home...

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