Radiance

It’s been on my mirror for almost a year now; in pink script letters, the word “Radiance”.  It is there to remind me that in 2014 my one word was radiance.  I chose it because I wanted God’s light to shine in me, through me and reflect off of me.

I was inspired by the book, My One Word: Change Your Life with Just One Word by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen.  The book challenged me to choose just one word to focus on throughout the year.

As I focused on that one word, some amazing things happened.  I became increasingly aware of how many times scripture speaks of light.  Like in Psalm 34:3-5, Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt God’s name together.  I sought the Lord and the Lord answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  They looked to the Lord and were radiant…. Or, Jesus words in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 5, The Message translation: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God colors in the world.  God is not a secret to be kept.  We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.  If I make you light bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?  I’m putting you on a light stand.  Now that I’ve put you on a hill-top, on a light stand–shine!  Keep open house; be generous with your lives.  By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God.

 I noticed that focusing on the word radiance started shaping my other goals. It transformed me physically, emotionally and spiritually.

My prayers changed.  I stopped asking so much for what I wanted and started asking God just to let me shine.

People started encouraging me.  Friends found out about my one word and gave me little gifts, a trinket for my desk, note cards and a bracelet that says “shine.”

I met a new friend in 2014.  Her non-profit business is called “The House of Shine.”  She is all about helping people discover their strengths.  We partnered together on a project writing curriculum to help middle school students shine for God.

I started being able to see how God shines healing light on each of us and asks us simply to share that light with someone else.

Albert Schweitzer wrote, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.  Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame in us.”