Shine Before Others

On Tuesday, October 11, 2016 (10:30am), Bobbi and I had an hour and a half meeting with “Sabina,” our Financial Advisor, from the Chaddock Group (of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.) about the monetary mess we were in. While my wife presented our fiscal picture, I rambled on about lots of information (some pertinent and some not) that kept us there for ninety minutes.[i]

If I am coerced into a discussion of our family budget (by Bobbi), my brain eventually wanders to topics that I find less emotionally unpleasant. That was beginning to happen at our meeting of the minds in a beautiful remodeled office building (that was previously a Chinese restaurant) with Sarina.

Looking across at Sarina’s desk, I became interested by the company’s advertising slogan on their literature. It was “When you have the right financial advisor, life can be brilliant.”   

I knew that with a slight adjustment; this saying could be a great religious truth. Now read my version: “When you have the right [Spiritual] Advisor, life can be brilliant.”  Would you agree? The Heavenly Father is the only true guide to anyone’s foundation of wisdom. When it comes to divine brilliance, what has been said?

1.  “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command.” (Hebrews 1:3, NLT)

2.  "All living creatures are sparks from the radiation of God's brilliance, emerging from God like the rays of the sun." (Hildegard of Bingen)

 

3.  “Who among the gods is like You, Lord? Who is like You – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? (Exodus 15:11, NIV)

 

4.  “Among the attributes of God, although they are equal, mercy shines with even more brilliance than justice.” (Miguel De Cervantes) 

5.   “...God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in Him.” (1 John 1:5, MSG)

6.  “When I look at the galaxies on a clear night; when I look at the incredible brilliance of creation, and think that this is what God is like, then instead of feeling intimidated and diminished by it, I am enlarged . . . I rejoice that I am a part of it. “ (Madeleine L'Engle) 

What are the results of having God’s brilliance in your life daily? (Read the opinions of the individuals below.)

1.  “To discover the thing you're brilliant at you first have to endure realizing all the things you're average at.” (Shane Koyczan)

2.  “Your power and brilliance is the most awesome force life could muster… Let your brilliance be expressed through kindness.”  (Bryant McGill)

3. 
 “Now more than ever the world needs your brilliance, your voice, your unique imagination, and your particular genius.”  (Gloria Burgess)

4.  “Accept and acknowledge your own brilliance. Stop waiting for others to tell you how great you are! Believe it for yourself and about yourself.” (Iyanla Vanzant) 

5.  “Before the beginning of brilliance, there must be great chaos. Before a brilliant person begins something great, they must look foolish in the crowd.” (Fuxi)

Music always has a unique way of cutting to the heart of any matter. God’s brilliance is a predominant theme in the following musical lyrics. How does this song make you feel about the Heavenly Father’s love for you, His child?[ii]

Verse One

Sing it out; shout it loud
Cover all the earth
let the sound of the saints
everywhere be heard
Praise the God who has come
to cure every broken heart.

Verse Two

He is Lord over all
His reign will never end
through the fire and the flood
He draws his children in
He's the light of the world
Brighter than the brightest star.

Chorus
The God of brilliant lights
is shining down over us
Breaking through the darkness
Covering all the earth
His love is like an ocean
Forever overflowing
The God of brilliant lights is shining over us

Verse Three

Sinners come to the cross
and lay your troubles down
at the feet of the one whose mercy will abound
He's not afraid of our filth
He will never turn away

Chorus (2X)

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[i] The title for this post is taken from the verse, Matthew 5:16 (NIV): “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” What good are you doing for others? Is this your best? Think about it.

[ii] These are abridged lyrics to the song, “God of Lights” by Aaron Shust.