Shine

St. Simon's Island, Georgia

Tonight, a tiny sliver, almost missed behind the trees, appeared.  I’m always surprised by the sight, amazed at its delicacy. My favorite phases of the moon that appear just before or just after the new moon are the waning and waxing crescents. Those are the scientific names. In our home, though, we call them the ‘fingernail moon’, thus dubbed when our daughter was four years old and noticed the crescent for the first time. We agreed that the name appropriately described the lovely shape.

A full moon is impressively beautiful. Its shine lightens the entire night so that not even the stars can be seen. Still, there is something about the fingernail moon that always causes me to pause. Folklore says that if the crescent is positioned so that it will hold water, the fish will bite. Perhaps that’s true. Anything that gives me a reason to go fishing is certainly worth trying. I do know the crescent’s light may not shine brilliantly in the night sky like the full moon, it may be easy to overlook, but still that tiny shape is compelling.

Just so, God has placed many witnesses in His world. Some are big and bold like the full moon. Their light brightens everything around them, even overpowering the shine from others. The world notices their comings and goings, and they serve an important purpose.

But God also has His fingernail moons tucked delicately in the darkness of this world. They don’t overpower, but they faithfully shine in their corner of the night sky, reminding all that God has not forgotten His people.

God has called us to be His light in this world. His commission has not changed through the years since Christ gave it almost two thousand years ago. Whether we shine as a full moon or a fingernail moon, we are to shine brightly and faithfully. Darkness cannot overcome light.

God's Light always wins

^“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

¹⁶ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain” (Philippians 2:15 – 16, KJV).

Father, may I faithfully shine today wherever I am. Let me not compare my shine to others knowing that You have created each of us to uniquely fulfill Your purpose and plan. In this dark world, remind me today, Lord, that Your light always wins. Always. In Jesus' name I pray.