2 Corinthians 4:1-6

I was reading/memorizing/meditating on the first part of 2 Corinthians 4 yesterday and I wanted to share some of my thoughts about it.

"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways, we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 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 the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Reading this the first time, I was totally lost. But as I dug into this and read it word by word, I started to get what it was saying.

Basically, since God revealed Himself in Jesus Christ and died on the cross for us because of His mercy, we are able to live with Him shining His light in us. Satan has "blinded the minds of unbelievers" so they cannot see the light that we have. So we preach Jesus as Lord because of the light that God has given us so that unbelievers can see the light shine in us and, therefore, see God.

I love having these verses memorized so I can remind myself and others about shining God's light.

So after reading these verses, I am even more pumped to shine God's light so others can see Him. This school year, if we let God shine out from us, He's going to do amazing things!

I just got together with some people from my high school and we did a prayer walk around the school. Part of the prayer walk involved praying with some custodians that were there. We all met them and now know their names! Last year, walking around the school, seeing them, I thought of how lonely they must get sometimes because no one talks to them. Last year, I never was bold enough to go up to them and talk to them. But how else are they going to see God's light if we don't go and talk to them, thank them, and encourage them. So it was such a blessing to see their faces light up today when we came over and talked to them! We thanked them so much and I could tell that it made their day, having some kids come up to them from the school and tell them how much they mean to us. It was so amazing! And none of that could have happened if we weren't bold and shining with God's light! It was a really neat God time. :D

So I encourage you all to make it a goal to talk to the people that work so hard to make your schools nice and clean for you this year! Be BOLD and SHINE with the light that God has given you!!! :D

Have a great day, ya'll!!