“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
Throughout scripture we read about shining God’s light into the darkness. We do this by sharing God’s message of love, hope and forgiveness. Our words and actions do matter. Acts of kindness, encouraging words and sharing our faith all serve as ways to display God’s presence to those around us.
In Texas, the past few weeks we have had intermittent days of colder weather. I have been taking advantage of this along with people being more open to a stranger’s generosity this time of the year.
I honestly don’t know how many gifts I give to random people throughout the year. I keep a bag in my car. When I feel the Holy Spirit nudge me to bless someone I do. This month I have even been bringing it with my me when my husband and I have been running errands together.
Initially, I think it used to make him a little uncomfortable when I did it with him, but now it doesn’t seem to faze him. In fact, twice on Sunday, I blessed store clerks who had helped us. The first time I had my bag with me. I let her pick which hat or scarf she wanted. When I pointed out the attached card with our church services listed, she said she usually was working but would share it with her mother….planting seeds.
The second gift I gave away, I had forgotten my bag in the car. As we were checking out, I asked my husband for his car keys. It was no surprise to him when I came back in with my bag. He was smiling and had this look; here she goes again. The clerk had spent at least 20 minutes helping my husband pick out a new electric razor.
I let her know I knit gifts to give to people that make a difference in my day, and I really appreciated how patient she had been with us. I also told her a little bit about my knitting ministry as well as mentioning our church’s Christmas Eve services. I know when I feel the Holy Spirit nudge me like He did, blessings will flow into the person’s day which in turn will bless others.
Christians are light in darkness. Without Jesus, our world would be a much darker place. How sad it is for those whose hearts are closed off to Jesus. We were rescued from spiritual darkness the day we put our faith in Jesus. The more and more we spread kindness to strangers, the more His light will spread to others.
Let us use this Christmas season as an opportunity to be the light of Christ. Where can you reflect the light of Christ into others this week? As you wait in a long line at a store, pray for God to give you words of life to speak to the person who checks you out. What you say to them could be exactly what they need to hear to keep them going until they clock out for the day.
We live in a society that isn’t always kind to those who are serving them. As Christians, we want those that don’t know Jesus to see something different in us. The more we get out of our comfort zone with sharing our faith, the easier it gets. I don’t always get it right, so I am thankful, God gives me second, third, fourth….chances. He does the same for you too.
Father God,
Forgive me when I ignore the Holy Spirit’s nudge to speak words of encouragement to a stranger. May I show Your love and light with those I encounter not just during this Christmas season, but every day. Lead me to someone this week to brighten their day through my words and actions. I lift those up to You who are drowning in their own darkness. May Your light give them glimmers of hope in their moments of despair. Put people in their pathway to shine Your love and hope into their lives. Soften their hearts to seek Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ Amen.
December Verse
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”—Romans 15:13
If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.