I watched a bird soar high above the banks of the lake. Wings spread wide, catching the light breeze, effortlessly gliding on its gentle currents.

Far below a dark outline mimicked its every movement.

A silhouette followed wherever it flew.

As majestic as it looked, that bird was blocking the light.

Casting a shadow.

Anything that absorbs light casts a shadow.

Anything that absorbs light casts a shadow. Click To Tweet

I couldn’t help but wonder if I had ever been the one who created darkness and kept the light from shining through.

Have my actions or my attitudes or my words, or even what may look like successful soaring ever blocked the light of God from reaching another?

Have I stood between people and God and kept them from seeing Him?

Have I wanted them to see me instead?

If I’m honest, the answer is “yes.” It is human nature to want to be noticed and receive compliments for our accomplishments. I pinned many medals on my chest as a Soldier and found myself basking in the glow of my success. I took all the credit for my achievements, never acknowledging the source of my skills.

As a mom, I’ve been forced to reevaluate my motives and accept the fact that the atta boys for boiling noodles and folding laundry are few and far between.

But the One who provides me with the strength to get through both Soldiering and Mothering and being a friend and a leader in women’s ministry remains unchanged. By accepting the praise rightly due to Him for my success, I’m blocking the light.

Eliminate shadows by being transparent.

Eliminate shadows by being transparent. Click To Tweet

Let others see God through you.

All that we say and do should be done to glorify Him. To point others toward the light. To brighten every room we walk into by sharing His love.

The truth is we’re either casting a shadow or shining for His glory. The choice is ours to make.

Matthew 5:16 is clear about what we should be doing: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Everything we say or do should reflect who God is and how He loves His people. We point to Him as the source of any skill that leads to our recognition. We praise Him for all that He has done for us. We help others understand more about God by sharing what we know about Him.

When we show others the light He has placed in us, they’ll begin to see it in themselves, too. That is how we overcome the darkness - by letting others see His light.

Share in the comments one specific and practical way you can let someone see God through you today.

Together we can light up this dark world by shining for His glory!

Dear Father, Thank you for sending your Son to earth to be The Light of the World. Thank you for the light you have placed in me by His sacrifice. Help me to shine before others so that they may see You, not me. Keep me from becoming a shadow by absorbing Your light for myself. Remind me to always reflect your light and love our into the world! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

“For you were once darkness, but ow you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

Ephesians 5:8-11

“The Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 8:12

For more encouragement please join the discussions on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Grace and Truth, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Still Saturday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Word of God Speak.