Shine (intransitive verb): to give out a bright light; a quality of brightness especially from reflected light; be very talented or perform very well
Back in September 2018, I wrote down this verse in my journal during my daily bible study time:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
I underlined the words “your light has come”, drew an arrow outward, and wrote in big, bold letters “JESUS!”. I remember in that moment I was fascinated by reading the prophetic words of Isaiah. In the months since, the verse stuck with me and kept popping up in other places.
Similar concepts, synonymous words, also caught my attention. In November, I stumbled across another passage that I recorded in my journal:
His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Revelation 1:16
Immediately I was reminded of the story in Exodus 34 about the “radiant face of Moses”. I have been intrigued by these passages since the first time I read them. The idea that the face of Moses was radiant because of his time spent with God captivated me. Stirred something inside of me years ago, and still does today:
I want that look of radiance!
I then ended 2018 with a blog post on the word “Light”. Near the end of that article, I reflected on “How do I bring His Light to the world? How do I become a better reflector of His Light?” And in answering those questions, while clinging to the verses from Isaiah and Revelation, and dreaming of the radiant face of Moses, my first-ever “theme” or “focus” word of the year was derived.
The word is…SHINE.
The truth is, just saying the word or thinking of the word “SHINE” brings a smile to face. Even if that’s the only way I use my theme word all throughout the year, I think it will have served its purpose.
Yet I am fully embracing this “theme” word of the year concept. After all, my blog is all about “one word” at a time, right? But what does having a theme word mean? How does this work differently than creating New Year’s resolutions or setting goals?
I found this description interesting (from www.myoneword.org ):
Our resolutions seldom work because they are based on the type of person we’re tired of being rather than who God wants us to become. Plus, resolutions can be “broken,” leaving no room for the process of growth. What if our hopes for the year ahead centered instead on who God wants us to become, and the transformation process? [Having a theme] word replaces broken promises with a vision for real change. When you choose a single word, you have a clarity and focus. You are moving toward the future rather than swearing off the past.
As part of a new adventure, I’m willing to give this theme word a shot and make my own decisions about its potential to influence my year. And of course, I’ll write about it along the way!
For now, I’ve started the work to dig deeper into the word SHINE as it relates specifically to the motivations behind why I selected it.
These questions come to mind:
- One of the definitions of shine is “to give out a bright light”… so, what is holding back my shine?
- One of the definitions of shine is “to be a reflector of light”… so, how can I better shine His Light everywhere I go?
- One of the definitions of shine is “to be very talented or perform very well” … so, where do I need to put my spiritual gifts to work so that they shine from use?
The answers are still forming in my mind as I take the questions to God in prayer. A short sort of “bucket list” has developed. Creativeness has been cultivated. Although I’m not sure where this journey will take me, I do hope for these words from Nelson Mandela to hold true:
“…as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
Until next time, I pray:
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you! Numbers 6:25
P.S. I will undeniably be singing and humming “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” all year long (I’ve already started). In case you want to join me, check out Etta James’ performance here: “This little light of mine”