Crystal Stine

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Living As Light-Bearers (and a giveaway!)

Everyday faith, incourage

Everlasting Light - crystalstine.me

I learned something interesting in September when I was recording all of my “31 Days” videos. The way my desk is set up in my office, my west-facing window is to my back, which meant that with every video I had to purposefully turn myself to find the light, otherwise my face would be in shadows, distracting from the message.

It took trial and error to find that spot where the light coming in around me made everything brighter instead of casting shadows. It took intentional planning and movement, turning away from where I was used to sitting to find a new spot. One that was admittedly more awkward, but ultimately more lovely.

As I thought about that process, I wondered how often I choose to stay in the dim light in my every day interactions because I’m too comfortable to turn and find the Light? Scripture tells us we’re here to be lights to the world:

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14, MSG

What if everything I’m doing, my day-to-day, ordinary living, is happening under a bucket because I haven’t quite figured out that the way to reflect the Light is to turn my face more fully toward God? What if all it would take is one little movement, one small, uncomfortable adjustment, to move from shadow-dweller to light-bearer?

Everlasting Light - incourage.me

And so I put up little reminders in my office to keep my thoughts and words generous. Candlesticks topped with flickering candles, a table runner with glittering stars and Scripture. I wear truth around my neck – a beautiful conversation starter and a reminder when I look in the mirror that the God who created the universe, the same One who knows the stars by name, He knows me, too. And at the end of the day, I pray my heart has turned a little more toward God so I can say I lived like this:

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” Col 3:17, MSG

If you’re looking to add a few light-bearer reminders to your every day, I’d love to invite you to enter to win this giveaway, hosted by DaySpring and (in)courage! One winner will receive a $50 coupon code to use toward items in the new Everlasting Light Collection. To enter, simply follow the giveaway widget instructions, below (email subscribers, click here to enter) – but hurry, the giveaway is only open through Friday!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. Annette says

    So many pretty things in the store, but my favorite is the Everlasting Light – Reversible Table Runner.

  9. Jen says

    I agree with other commenters that this is a beautiful concept overall and I’m not surprised that it led to beautiful products. I love the “shine” necklace and the “Word gave Life” print.

  17. Angela says

    I have a Starbucks branch that I call my own and a spot in that branch that I claim all the time. Then one day, all the spots in that part of that branch were taken and I had to venture to the other side of the store. It was so weird! It felt like I was somewhere new. I got you when you said one little movement can change everything. From shadow-dweller to light-bearer = awesome. And I love those candlestick holders. From all the candles in my room, I think I have an obsession 🙂

  21. amypboyd says

    Crystal, reflect His light more than I am sure you realize. I see it Him in the words you write. I love it all !!
    The mirror is awesome but I think the candlesticks are my favorites. list!

  28. livingjoel225 says

    Love this post. Motivated me to take a step I’ve been putting off. And love this print: http://www.dayspring.com/mobile/in_courage/everlasting_light/everlasting_light_art_prints_and_totes/he_counts_the_stars_16x20_art_print_and_bonus_printable/ I saw an interview with a famous scientist over the weekend who was trying to say we were just a bunch of star dust. All I could do was pray and thank God that He makes the stars and calls them out by name…so I smiled BIG when I just saw that print in the collection!! 🙂

  30. Mel says

    Oh, goodness…I think I love it all. 🙂 The wall map pin board and the mirror are both awesome and definitely at the top of my list!

  34. Toria says

    Hardest part- deciding what pick!! So many beautiful choices…BUT! I think I’d go with the SHINE letterpress block set- I’ve been wanting a letterpress set for a while now, but *ahem* I’m too…..thrifty (okay admit it, it sounds better than “cheap”) to actually purchase a set myself. 😉 http://www.dayspring.com/shine_letterpress_block_set/
    I’m also drooling over the “You Will Shine” art print- gorgeous colors! So I’d probably get the print + letterpress, pay the few dollars extra, and feel like I just saved a million bucks!

    Thanks, Crystal, for all you do! I so enjoyed your 31 days series- I’m still going through and listing to your community chats! So encouraging to my soul <3 Keep going strong, sister! You're moving mountains and touching others and being His hands and feet!

  35. Jess R says

    Love the pillows and tablerunner too! Actually all of it is so beautiful. Maybe I change my mind to the bookends? haha. I can’t decide!