“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean one ceases to be human, a creature, a finite being.

Duh! Right? Who doesn’t know that?

It sounds so obvious. But the way many Christians deal with suffering, disease, death, failure makes one think. It’s almost as if some Christians believe that suffering, disease, death, failure are un-Christian. We pray it away. We claim for ourselves promises of well-being. We cherish and pursue success, health, and wealth.

Because we are human, because we are creatures, because we are finite:

• We will suffer
• We will battle disease
• We will die
• We will fail

Being a Christian doesn’t change what we deal with. Being a Christian changes how we deal with it.

Because we are not alone, because suffering, disease, death, and failure never get the last word, because our past does not define us, we “rejoice in hope, are patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer.”

Friends, when we replace “Why is this happening to me?” with “What is God trying to teach me?” it changes everything!

God is at work. God is good. God wants what is best for us. God knows what is best for us.

Trust God. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. Be constant in prayer.

What is God trying to teach you today?

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

You are either a bridge or a barrier to people coming to Christ.

“Let your light shine before others…”

• Let – we can live a way that lets others see light and we can live in a way that hides the light
• Let your light shine
  • Light is not something we possess. Light is something we can only reflect. Just as the moon does not generate its own light, we cannot generate light on our own. The moon shines only by reflecting the light of the sun
  • In the same way, we can only reflect the light of Christ
• Let your light shine before others
  • The key is to be in the presence of Christ. When we are near Christ, we reflect Christ’s light

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify the Father in heaven.”

• That they may see your good deeds
  • We reflect Christ’s light when we live like Christ. When we reflect Christ’s love and grace, we reflect Christ’s light
  • Christ’s light is demonstrable through our good deeds
  • Treat everyone with the love and grace of Christ

When the people around us experience Christ’s love and grace through how we treat and honor them, they come to experience and know God.

We are either a bridge or a barrier to people coming to Christ.

Shine Christ’s light. Reflect God’s love and grace to the people around you. There is someone who needs Christ’s light today. Be that person. “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify the Father in heaven.” 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

Have you ever wondered:

• Why do Koreans like Korean food?
• Why do Mexicans like Mexican food?
• Why do Americans like American food?

It’s all food. But all tastes very different. How come we like what we like? Why do certain foods give us comfort when it doesn’t do the same for others?

The thing is, we are constantly being shaped by the world we live in. The smells, the sights, the environment…all of it is constantly shaping our tastes, thoughts, and values.

But here is where Christ-followers are to be diligent. Unless we commit to God shaping us by and through God’s word, we will find ourselves shaped contrary to God’s truths.

Above our allegiance to the culture around us, we are to place our ultimate allegiance to Jesus. This takes both intentionality and effort. Being shaped by God’s truths doesn’t just happen. We have to work at it. We have to read and study God’s word. We have to read books, listen to sermons, and discuss with others the truths of God so that God’s truths shape us.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good and pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

Thank you for doing your part by starting with this devotional every morning. Commit to reading and studying God’s word with others. Commit to worshiping God. This is how we work against the world constantly shaping us into its image.