“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” -Isaiah 60:1-2
This past week I had the opportunity to speak at a local women’s Bible study on the story of Deborah (Judges 4 and 5). There are so many possible applications from that story, but the thing I kept hearing in my spirit was a single word:
ARISE
It is time to arise and shine. It is time to come out of the shadows, out of the weeds, out of a myriad of distractions, and arise and SHINE for His glory. I think that little word is important for all of us in this season, but I believe there is a special call for women–especially those whose voices have repeatedly been silenced through dogmatism and oppression–to arise into the fullness of who God created us to be.
It is time to let our light SHINE.
During the course of my message last week, I mentioned the children’s song This Little Light of Mine and I remembered a post I’d written some years ago. I think it is even more poignant now than when I first wrote it Here is the original post:
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This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine …In dark times; in the midst of turmoil; in confusion and uncertainty …
I’m gonna let it shine
In a world filled with sorrow and pain; in the midst of hopelessness and loss; amongst the depraved and the despondent …
I’m gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel – no! I’m gonna let it shine Hide it under a bushel – no! I’m gonna let it shine Hide it under a bushel – no! I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine …When it’s easier to check out; when I want to put my head in the sand; when it’s tempting to run …
I’m gonna let it shine
When I feel inadequate; when I’m tired and would rather not bother; when self-preservation sounds like a good idea …
I’m gonna let it shine
Don’t let Satan snuff it out, I’m gonna let it shine Don’t let Satan snuff it out, I’m gonna let it shine Don’t let Satan snuff it out, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shineWhen I think I’m not making a difference; when there are too many needs and not enough hands; when fear surrounds me …
I’m gonna let it shine
When evil threatens to overwhelm good; when I’m bruised and bloody from the battle; when I don’t think my heart can take anymore …
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine …
A few years back as I was praying, I was drawn up into the light of heaven. I began to intercede and cried out, “Lord, bring the light to Israel!” but He stopped me and said, No, you bring the light to Israel! I cried out again, “Lord, bring the light to Thailand!” but He interrupted again, No, you bring the light to Thailand!
I wonder how many prayers will never be answered because he has already commissioned us to be the answer?
So often we view the injustice of the world and say “God do something!” But He already did do something–He broke the power of all iniquity and injustice. He left us as ambassadors of His kingdom, a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. He sent His own Spirit to dwell inside of us and left all power and authority at our disposal.
Why aren’t we doing something?
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men to do nothing.” –Edmund Burke.
“You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others …” (Matt.5:14-16).
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine …
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Indeed, beloved, let it shine. You are the light of the world–and light always overcomes darkness. You were created for such a time as this.
Arise…and let it shine, let it shine, LET IT SHINE!
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I posted the audio from the teaching on my podcast app (link here). The message actually starts about 4 minutes in. The sound quality isn’t the greatest, but I think it is an important message–particularly for women–in this hour.
Cindy Powell 
We are here, now, for such a time as this!
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Amen! Arise and SHINE ❤️
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Amen, Cindy. You know, I’ve found myself in a strange place recently, engaging with atheists, something I never asked for, and I never really cared about the arguments. I usually don’t pay any attention to what they believe and am not insecure in the least bit about my own faith or relationship with Him, It couldn’t be better! So, here I am being called an apologist! LOL!
But then the Lord talked to me about this in a similar way you mentioned in your prayers. He directed me to 2 Cor. 10:3-5 in the NLT…
“3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
What He highlighted was that our warfare is against “strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments…every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.” Now, it made sense what He was having me do.
So, yes, wherever God leads us, we need to shine His light in the dark places.
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Amen Mel. I’ve noticed a couple of your ongoing dialogues and admire your patience! I’m not sure I could do it. But one thing that strikes me is that they keep coming back for more. It is hard for me to imagine anyone arguing on an ongoing basis simply for the sake of arguing, so maybe there is more than meets the eye. At any rate, praying with you for supernatural destruction of those “false arguments.” We’ll just call you Pastor Mel, the Great Apologist from now on 😉
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Ha…what I have have is the Great Apologist living in me. 🙂
Thanks for your prayers.
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Amen!
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