Radiance and Light

 “With New Radiant Action” (6).

After racing around, jumping into the air, touching the ground with his ears, and doing a backflip with a half twist, Wilbur lives up to the “radiant” label. The scene is humorous, but the truth is, Wilbur is radiant already in his creatureliness and has no need to prove himself with silly antics. 

So it is that God pronounces His people radiant: “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12:3). As we abide in Him, our countenance reflects His light. We shine only because of His presence and radiance in us, for the Son “is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Heb. 1:3 NIV). Like a light bulb, we need an outside power source, and that Source is described in Acts 1:8. 

Prayer: Father of lights, the giver of every good gift in whom there is no shadow or changing, shine in my darkness. Help me to walk in fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ and keep me from stumbling in the dark. Let my light radiate so others may know You. Make my path brighter each day. I praise You that one day I will have no need of sun or light bulbs, for You will be the light and the glory. “And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light” (Rev. 22:5).

Radiant Action: When I change a light bulb, I will think of my need for the Holy Spirit to shine through me. Same for when I light a candle or turn on a light.

Webs: Weight of Glory (Sept.), Calling: The Writer (Oct.), Presence (Dec.) 

Gleanings: “Light, however, life-giving light, life that is light itself, overcomes that fear. Rather than draw away from the Lord and his will when times are hard, we press into him instead. Rembrandt famously painted in such a way; the bright source of light in his paintings came from Jesus. The other sources of light pale into insignificance by comparison.” —Michael Ramsden 

“He is the radiance of the glory of God” (Heb. 1:3).