We’re just past the halfway point for this series and it’s time to turn things around! We’ve talked about jealousy and grief and now it’s time to celebrate. Let’s take a look at who God says we are so we can better celebrate the glimpses of Christ we see in others.
If we’re honest, when we take the time to really see the person behind the announcement, the “humble brag,” the social media post, the stage presence, and we really look for the way they have been made in God’s image – well, let’s just say jealousy isn’t typically the first emotion we’ll feel. But in order to see it them, we need to read it, believe it, and see it in ourselves.
(all of these are the ESV translation; emphasis in the scripture is mine)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” Ephesians 3:12
“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11
Did you get all of that? Do you feel loved, uplifted, cherished? You are, you know. God is not done with you yet – He’s barely gotten started! You have so much to offer the world as a bright light, shining into the dark corners exactly where God has placed you.
Imagine if we were all actual, physical lights. And we knew that, as Christians, our purpose was to shine light into the darkness. If we all picked the same corner to shine our light, it would certainly be bright there – but there would be a tremendous amount of darkness left all around us that no one was paying any attention to. God doesn’t need us to be on stages or have our names on book covers or be invited to do public, fancy, impressive work to make a difference.
He just wants us to shine where He knows we’re needed most. In our homes, our communities, our churches, our schools, our carpool lines, soccer practices, and work places.
Questions:
- How does knowing who you are in Christ make you less jealous of others?
- Which Scripture stood out to you today?
- Where has God called you to shine that feels less impressive than you’d hoped?
