Soul Shine

Sometimes I choose a word for the year. I still remember the late fall when I was going through cancer treatment and receiving daily radiation to help heal me. On purpose, a couple of months later, when January came, I chose the word RADIANCE to focus on. I wanted to turn around my experience of that word. I learned in that year, in a new way, that God is light.

I’ve long been intrigued by all the images of light in the Bible. I’ve written plenty on that subject because figuring it out transformed my soul. This week it all came to mind again as I got ready for the weekly Jesus Calling Prayer Call where we read the devotional of the day, the scriptures the devotion is based on and then have a time of prayer. Being on this call each week has made Tuesday mornings one of the highlights of my week.

One of the scriptures for this week’s call was the blessing from the book of Numbers 6:25-26. I bet you’ve heard it before. One of my favorite pastors used to say it every Sunday after every service. The Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord’s face turn toward you and give you peace. Amen

In scripture, God teaches this blessing to Aaron, the older brother of Moses, so he can properly bless the Israelites. It is like God is coaching us all on how to receive light. We get it, somehow, from God’s face.

I remembered the obscure passage about Moses in the book of Exodus where he gets a glimpse of God and then we are told this, Moses comes down from Mt. Sinai and he wasn’t aware of it, but his face was radiant. Exodus 34:29

God seemed to be working on both brothers to speak and be light.

In my years in ministry, I’ve come to know many people of faith who may not even realize it but they are shiny from brushing up against the face of God. Their light gives me light.

I believe that should be the spiritual goal of people of faith, radiance.

And wow, how hard it is that in these tough times? I will say it again but this virus, the state of the world, the state of our country and our disagreement and division is bringing out the worst in us. It is all serious important stuff. I think it all matters. People are not behaving well all across the land and it is strangely enough, tied to faith issues. Some of the harshest judgements, even hatred I’ve ever seen are coming out of faith based groups.

I have to keep reminding myself that what is important now is to stay as close to the light of God as possible and to soak up all the shininess I can so that I might be LIGHT and not darkness right now.

Lots of people are hanging on by only a thread for many, many different reasons. I’m praying that God will help my soul to shine love above all else and that when I walk away, someone says of me, like they did of Moses, I don’t think she even notices it, but she shines.

Is your soul shiny?

Dr. Cindy Ryan is a pastor, wife, mother of three, breast cancer survivor and Mosa to Keller, Pace and one on the way. To see more of her blogs, information about the Jesus Calling Weekly Prayer Call she co-hosts on Tuesdays and upcoming speaking events, go to http://www.drcindyryanblog.com.