Dear Friends,
Last week I took the funeral of Patrick, a lovely Christian man who attended Nailsea church and died in his nineties. His funeral was successful in mourning the loss of such a dear man (and avid Bristol City fan), celebrating his life and assuredly giving him to God for safe journeying.
One of the important things for me is what Christians exude unconsciously and Patrick, although struggling physically was someone who exuded faith. We get very worked up about how we present ourselves, but yet I observe many other believers pouring light upon the world by their deeds and their love.
Moses spent time in the presence of Almighty God, and when he came down from the mountain his face was shining, radiant and so terrifying, he had to cover it. (Exodus 34 v 25) He was not aware of this, but others were.
In Psalm 4 v 6 and 7, David prays for the “Light of God’s presence, His face, to shine on him and fill him with joy.” In Aaron’s blessing of Numbers 6 v 24-26 it says, “The Lord make his face shine upon you and …. give you peace.”
In John 12 v 33-36 Jesus speaks about Himself as light and declares that if we believe in Him, “The light will be with us shining through our lives, and we will be children of the light.”
So, do you and I shine? I remember beaming from ear to ear when I first attended the Keswick convention, the Holy Spirit filling me. I still hope to reflect on my face the presence of God, and I know that the more I consciously abide in Him, the more peace and joy I hope to be seen in my countenance.
A sour faced and joyless Christian, a dark countenance, is a denial of what God said we should reflect. Your face is a living testimony and should attract and fascinate others causing you to have questions asked as to why you shine.
One of the things which thrills me is to see the light of God shining on those who are aged and have seen so much in their lives.
God bless you, David