“Let your light so shine before men, that they see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16, KJV
During my senior year of high school, the disc player in my little two-door stickshift car played the newly released Newsboys album “Shine: The Hits” on relentless repeat. With no AC, the upbeat lyrics drifted through the open windows, a challenge to all with ears to hear:
Shine.
Make ’em wonder whatcha got.
Make ’em wish that they were not
On the outside looking bored.
Shine.
Let it shine before all men.
Let ’em see good works and then
Let ’em glorify the Lord.
Scott, a fellow believer who is a physical education instructor in our 7-12 building, often uses his planning period to walk laps. As he walks, he greets those he passes with a genuine smile and stops to speak words of encouragement when the Holy Spirit directs. He checks in with students who he knows are struggling. He prays for colleagues in the midst of trials. He leads a weekly devotional and prayer time for teachers. The Lord quietly, unmistakably, and daily shines through my brother in Christ.
In a public school, it is perfectly legal for all believers to shine. So, today, let’s make our students and colleagues wonder “what we got.” And as opportunities arise, let’s tell them!
Dear Lord, I thank You for preparing in advance good works for us to do so that we may walk in them as we follow You. Thank you for the light of Christ in us. May You use us each day in our schools to shine brightly so that our heavenly Father may be praised. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Copyright Kristi Shanenko.
Kristi is a current member of Christian Educators and a high school English teacher who lives in North Dakota.
One Response
Love it Kristi! The Spring issue of TOV will be themed “Shine”…wonder if the Lord is trying to tell us something! Thanks for your heart and using your gifts to bless us.