Come Let it Shine...

Tonight, for the first time ever Joeby was introduced to the moon. He tried to say Moon...Kinda came out more like "moo". But it was a good first try. The moon doesn't shine it's light in the daytime, or does it? It does, but we can't see it. Why? Is it not bright enough? No, it's because the moon shines but only those who are in the right place can see it...or only when the moon is shining at just the right spot in the sky can we see it.

God is there. ALWAYS. whether we choose to see Him or not. Just like the moon, though, sometimes we must align ourselves properly in order to "see" Him.

Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

His love, His glory, His goodness, His qualities they are all visible through the creation around us.

He wants us, like Him, to shine. We read a great and timely devotional today about why we face hardships and trials and loss and it was talking about how God is allowing us to "partake in Christ's sufferings". Just like our lifegroup of others who've all endured losing a child like we have and now we sadly can relate, we can empathize, we can completely understand on a very real level of understanding, we can communicate in a new and unique way, we can walk in a new understanding ourselves, a new level of care for other's who've endured this pain. We know the emptyness and hurt, the questions and the deep loss. Similarly, Christ endured hardship, loss, pain and in this way we too can now "partake" in sufferings and know that we can communicate with God differently, on a deeper level and with greater faith because of our sufferings.

Psalm 22:24
For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
He will come and rescue.

He has redeemed us. We were sold like slaves to death, suffering, pain, loss...but He has re-purchased us.

Isaiah 43:1
[ Israel’s Only Savior ] But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Just like Joeby finally realizing there really is a moon...take a moment, breathe, and know that breath did not come upon you without a great miracle. Every fiber of your being is in place because the God who formed you intricately in your mother's womb cares for you and knit you together and provided you another breath. If you are searching for God, I encourage you to keep searching for Him. If you need to re-align your eyes to look at Him again and find Him "in the sky like the moon", then I encouage you to do so.

May He be your reason to sing! Need a listen, go here ... May you seek Him and find Him!

Psalm 119:2
Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—

~Abi

Ephesians 5:14
This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”