Shine On!
Monday’s Verse:
From Matthew 5:16 ESV
(Jesus said) "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
The Giants lost in New Orleans and the Jets lost in East Rutherford, both on Sunday. The Yankees imploded in Toronto, also on Sunday. So this Monday, it’s easy to let the sour sports mood carry over. Because, you know what, it seems like New York teams (and those who play in New Jersey but call themselves “New York”) can’t do anything right.
Except when it comes to our identity in Christ, we can’t be a Sunday Christian. If your team lost, or your kids are grumpy, or you just want to crawl into bed, we can’t say we’re shiny bright Christians the rest of the week.
Jesus never said to let our light shine only when we have it all together, when things are going right, or when we feel like it. No, He says, let your light shine before men, that they might glorify God for what they see in you. So even when your teams lose, or your life gets derailed, or your mood is grumpy, your witness can shine bright.
And don’t hear me say that we have to fake a grin and smile our way through Monday morning traffic. It’s just that, as Christians, we’ve chosen to let the light of Christ – His mercy, His patience, His kindness – shine into this world which needs it, desperately. And that might be especially true on Monday mornings.
So instead of lugging around the losses from this weekend, let’s lug around the Light. At work. In the car. At home. With our kids or grandkids. With our friends. Shine on. Because your light doesn’t run on wins and losses. It runs on One who has already won the victory.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, remind us today that our hope isn’t in sports, circumstances, or how the weekend went. It’s in You. Help us shine with Your light wherever we go this week, so that others see not us, but Your goodness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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