Are You Glowing?

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

You have to love Facebook, right?  What was once meant for social networking amongst college students is now sweeping across the generations.  Even my mother is using it! 

Well, thanks to this new way of connecting, this past weekend a single female friend of mine uploaded a new photo that featured herself alongside a smiling young man. 

My friend was beaming.  Glowing!  And I just knew something was different about her.  Her whole countenance radiated good news.  So I was compelled and had to know the backstory.  I then contacted her and made plans to meet for dinner next week.  I can't wait to hear what is happening in her life!

Meanwhile, and speaking of "radiation" ... in my Bible study group we have been reading in the book of Revelation, and we're on the home stretch in chapters 21 and 22.  What has stood out to me is the fact that there will be no sun and no moon in heaven.  The light sources we have needed on earth since Creation will no longer be necessary in The Holy City, the New Jerusalem: 

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp (Rev. 21:23).

There will be no more night.  They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light (Rev. 22:5)

We will be in the presence of God and will "see his face" (Rev. 22:4).  That's just incomprehensible to me.  We will experience God's glory with no veil.  No mediator.  No separation.  Amazing!

Moses is one of the few who has experienced God's glory in person, when they communed on Mount Sinai (Exod. 34).  In my Bible, the verses that describe his countenance are titled "The Radiant Face of Moses" ...

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tables of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.  When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.  But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them.  Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai (Exod. 34:29-32).

Granted, in these times we're not afraid of people when their faces are glowing.  (Well, unless they're extraterrestrial.  But you get my point. ...)  When we see someone who is beaming, we know that there is a reason.  And we are a curious people and want to find out what is behind this change in countenance.

In our lives, we will radiate whatever it is that is consuming our hearts and minds—despite our circumstances and whether they be good or bad.  And the closer we walk with our Father each day and seek fellowship with him, the more we will bask in his glow and reflect his irresistible light to others around us (1 John 1:7).

Is that your aim today?  Like my friend, I hope that others can see a glow about me, so that they will ask what is different in my life.  Let us purpose to make the most of our time here on earth and to seek the Father's face, so that he may shine through us. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Look in the mirror.  Are you glowing?  Would someone know there's something different about you just by your countenance?  Take inventory of how you spend your day.  Set aside a specific time in your schedule to ensure you are walking "in the light."  Hopefully by your example and by your "glow" as someone who has spent time with the Lord, you will encourage others to do the same.

Further Reading:

Psalm 27

Isaiah 60