28/07/2016
ARISE, SHINE; FOR YOUR LIGHT
HAS COME!
By Ms. Joyce R. Aryee
'Arise, shine,for your light has come, and the
glory of the LORD rises upon you.' (Isaiah 60:1)
NIV
definitions for the word 'shine' 1 emit or
reflect light; be bright; glow. 2 (of the sun, a star,
etc.) be visible. 3 be brilliant; excel. —n. 1 light;
brightness.
I like the possibilities that each of these words
portends. I also like the fact that they all indicate
or imply the presence of darkness and the need
of light, even if or when the need is not yet felt.
The sun shines, warms and brightens with its
rays. The stars shine and the moon shines too.
All give light that dispel darkness, transmit hope
and help prevent getting lost in the dark or
overpowered by its gloom.
The sun shines the longest and is the greatest
light. The star shines or twinkles and is not as
bright as the sun. For this reason, it is often
called the smallest light. So, what can we learn
from this 'smallest light' about the call on us to
shine?
Stars are huge balls of burning gas that emit
light from far away distances. That light travels
all the way to Earth and we call those lights
Stars. Because of the distance between us and
the stars, we see them as tiny dots in the sky
and think they are also not as important, yet
some of them could actually be supporting life for
planets just like Earth.
No matter how small or little you think you are,
the clarion call of Isaiah 60:1 is the same for all
of us. Age is not a factor and size does not
count. All those who are called by the Lord's
name are told to 'arise and shine' and nothing
should stop any from responding to the call.
A flashlight has the potential to illuminate and
dispel darkness but until switched on, it is
useless. The call to 'shine' is like addressing a
flashlight that has the potential to shine to get
connected to the power source and start doing
what it is capable of - reflecting light or shining.
Similarly, a switch is useless if not turned on to
give light.
In the same way, a Christian is useless until he
starts shining. Such a one has not achieved his
full potential or value while still subdued and
blended with the darkness. Jesus said that we
are the light of the world - visible, set on a hill,
useful for the world to see, so that wherever we
are men might not stumble or fall. He said to
make sure that we are connected and attached to
Him as our Source of power. Once this is done,
then we will 'arise and shine' because we will
already be connected to the power source. All we
need to do is just to activate what the Holy Spirit
has implanted in us waiting to be used to save
the world from deep darkness, hence the call to
shine.
Darkness in the World
The prophet Isaiah sees darkness in the world. In
fact, much darkness, a very thick darkness or as
he put it, 'deep darkness.' It is a darkness
without the glory of the presence of God. Almost
like the kind of darkness that took place when
our Lord was crucified on Calvary's cross.
What does it mean to be in darkness? It simply
means to live in ignorance of the knowledge of
God and His glory. Jesus is the light of the world,
without that knowledge people live in the
darkness of error and superstition. Do I need to
say more about how such lack of knowledge is
destroying our world? People go to any extent to
get peace of mind, guilt-free conscience, obtain
certainty about their future consulting fe**sh
shrines, occult, etc. The words of the Prophet
Hosea that God's people 'are destroyed from lack
of knowledge' (Hosea 4:6) is so true. People are
being destroyed because they lack the knowledge
that comes from the light of God's glory.
Living in the dark also means living a life of sin
practicing the shameful deeds of darkness:
immorality, impurity, greed, theft, obscenity,
foolish talk, coarse joking, falsehood, slander,
bitterness, rage, brawling, and malice (Eph.
4:18-5:12).
Ephesians 4:18-32 'They are darkened in their
understanding and separated from the of God
because of the ignorance that is in them due to
the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all
sensitivity, they have given themselves over to
sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of
impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20 You,
however, did not come to know Christ that way.
21 Surely you heard of Him and were taught in
Him in accordance with the that truth is in Jesus:
22 You were taught, with regard to your former
way of life, to put off, your old self, which is
being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be
made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and
put on the new self, created to be like God in true
righteousness and holiness.25 Therefore each of
you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully
to his neighbor, for we are all members of one
body. 26 'In your anger do not sin': Do not let
the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and
do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has
been stealing must steal no longer, but must
work, doing something useful with his own
hands, that he may have something useful with
his own hands, that he may have something to
share with those in need. 29 Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but
only what is helpful for building others up
according to their needs, that it may benefit
those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy
Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the
day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness,
rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with
every form of malice. 32 Be kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving each
other, just as in Christ God forgave you.'
Ephesians 5:1-12 'Therefore be imitators of God
as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ
also has loved us and given Himself for us, an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-
smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all
uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be
named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse
jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of
thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator,
unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an
idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with
empty words, for because of these things the
wrath of God comes upon the sons of
disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers
with them.8 For you were once darkness, but
now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of
light 9 (for the fruit of the Spiritis in all goodness,
righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is
acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather expose them.12 For it is shameful
even to speak of those things which are done by
them in secret.'
So, the context of darkness a lack of
knowledge of God and living in sin is the
reason why we're to arise and shine
