It’s been a while.
I’ve missed writing. I mean, non-academic writing.
I didn’t expect to be away this long.
Here’s an update.
I’ve started the 2nd set of classes while still working on the 1st set. There’s a small 3-week overlap. I’ve been reading and writing academic style for the last month and a half. I feel like I have to write with APA style now all the time! Everything must be properly cited APA style.
Just kidding. Not really. No, Really!
I’ve also been participating in the last Bible study for the Spring session.
It’s called, All Things New – Bible Study Book: A Study on 2 Corinthians (Living Room)
We’re reading 2 Corinthians, and it’s just as challenging as the previous studies.
Over the past several weeks, there have been things I wanted to share with you.
Today, I share one, with no pictures because I have a research paper to finish and another one to start!
Here’s the main visual I have in mind.
A light is hidden under a basket with a veil on top of that.
That’s what I’ve been like. Any time I’ve moved and kept others at arm’s length. I’ve been hiding. It’s not like I really think I’m a star. Don’t get me wrong. However, I do have the light of Jesus inside. And, when I am unwilling to get to know people, to make friends, to share, I am hiding His light.
Reading about God’s light reminded me of this verse I shared with my family when my kids were young.
14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”c Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philipians 2: 14 -16 NIV
It’s related to a verse in Daniel:
New Living Translation
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. Daniel 12:3
So, when my kids, or I, would complain, we would think of this verse.
So, in this Bible study with Kelly Minter, I read these verses already having the others in my mind.
New Living Translation
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Read on . . .
Paul talks about when Moses came down from the mountain with his face glowing from being with the Lord. It scared the people, so he put a veil over his face. Paul compares the glory of Moses receiving the law to the glory of Christ. This same glory shines through us only the glory Moses reflected dimmed over time – ours doesn’t.
But, sometimes, we, or rather, I, hide it.
I blame it on fear, or being too pushy or inappropriate, or just, wanting to stay separated and quiet. If I share something that is so important to me, and it is rejected then I am rejected.
It’s not just sharing the gospel that I hesitate to do. It’s sharing me. For a variety of reasons, I want to stay hidden, and I’ve been convicted. I can no longer keep this light hidden and be who God made me to be. I have to be willing to let others get to know me, and get to know them. I can’t do it anymore in the old style, “Let’s be friends, but not too close.”
The Light of the Gospel
1Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy,a we do not give up.b 2Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not •walkingc in deceit or distorting God’s message,d but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth.e 3But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case, the god of this agef has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,g, h who is the image of God.i 5For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,j and ourselves as your •slaves because of Jesus. 6For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”k has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledgel of God’s glorym in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:1 – 6 Holman Christian Standard Bible
So, today, I’m not making this pretty and perfect. But, I am sharing what’s important to me – what God has impressed on me to do.
And, I haven’t forgotten about you, the ones who are reading this blog. I’m interested in hearing from you. Leave a comment about how you let the light of Christ shine.
Together, let’s get our “Shine On!”
Melissa Middlebrooks 