Proclaiming God's Glory: Shining His Light
Whether Jew or Gentile, we are each called to proclaim God's glory, to shine His light in a dark world. This post is a call to action for all who have been set apart and chosen for His purposes. It's time to stand up, look up, and shine His light!
"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth." Deuteronomy 14:2
In the verse above, we know that God was speaking through Moses about the people of Israel. God is reinforcing that His people are special, not common, and need a refresher on the terms and conditions of His Law for use in the Land of Canaan.
But wait, you might say, I'm not a Jew. I'm a Gentile. Does God set me apart and chosen for His purposes, too? Yes, and we find our reference to that in the Book of Acts.
Gentiles Set Apart For God's Glory
Take a look at Acts Chapter 10. This is wild. The Apostle Peter is praying and then just relaxing before dinner. We are told that he "fell into a trance and saw the heavens open and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air." Acts 10:11-12 (ESV)
Can you imagine that?
You are just hanging out, and then God shows you a vision? "And there came a voice to him: 'Rise, Peter, kill and eat.'" Acts 10:13 (ESV)
But Peter balks at the Lord's command, exclaiming, "By no means, Lord," because some of those creatures are "common or unclean" (Acts 10:14 ESV).
Never argue with God!
We are told that God said to Peter a second time (now He means business), "What God has made clean, do not call common." Acts 10:15 ESV
For God's Glory: You Are Set Apart
The next day, Peter is speaking with a large group of Gentiles (having been called to them by God), and he says, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean." Acts 10:28
While Peter was still speaking, "...the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles." Acts 10:45 ESV
I share this with you because some may wonder if God's Word really applies to them. You see the answer in God's own words. Yes, it applies to both Jews and Gentiles. That's you, me, and all the rest of us.
Now what?
For God's Glory: You Are Chosen to Shine His Light
Did you watch the Super Bowl (2024) between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs? At the end of overtime, the Kansas City Chiefs won the game by a score of 25 -22.
Why is a football game relevant to our discussion? The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game, Quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters, "I just got to give God the glory man, he challenged us to make us better. I'm proud of my guys man, this is awesome, it's legendary."
I think it's awesome and legendary for an elite athlete like Patrick Mahomes to give God the glory with millions (billions?) of lights shining on him. And, whether professional athletes, Hollywood actors, politicians, or pastors, the spotlight is an excellent opportunity to shine His light on a dark world.
I wonder how God sees it.
I believe God sees you every morning as you pray with your family, giving Glory to God for all He has done for you. He smiles and says, "That is awesome and legendary, my child!"
Despite political correctness, God sees you daily at work when you boldly proclaim the gospel to your co-workers. God claps and says with His Holy Angels, "That is awesome and legendary! Well done!"
I believe God sees you at the end of another exhausting day, feeling undervalued and unappreciated at work, yet still giving glory to God for His goodness and unconditional love. God tenderly reaches out to you from heaven and whispers, "That is awesome and legendary. You, my child, are irreplaceable. Never forget that."
You might believe that your acts of giving glory to God are insignificant. That the stage on which you shine His light is irrelevant.
But I don't believe God sees it that way. To God, you may be greater than a Super Bowl MVP. You may have a purpose in God's kingdom yet to be revealed.
What if this is true and truly how God sees you as you give glory to Him? How could your life be transformed? Ask God. :-)
Concluding Thoughts
You are called to proclaim God's glory, to shine His light in a dark world. This post has been a call to action for all who have been set apart and chosen for His purposes. Whether your stage of influence is grand or small, God's love and care for you remain the same. It's time to stand up, look up, and shine His light!
