Hey you! Yea you! Did you know that you are actually a Star ⭐️ ?! No really, I am telling, YOU ARE A STAR. As a Child of God this is your IDENTITY. Check out what Philippians 2:15 CSB says

So that you may remain blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world…

I have spent some time observing most people, especially Christians, and I’ve found that we often shrink back and tend to hide in any given environment we find ourselves except at Church. Some people actually believe that this is the way to live because you know…humility. We do this all in the name of “playing coy” or “being godly.” But what if I told you that you are not fully walking in your divine identity. We are called to shine bright. We are literally called out. Do you know what that means? We are specifically chosen, singled out. We are SUPPOSED to stand out, it is expected that you stick out like a sore thumb.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 CSB

Think about it for a second. We fast and pray, declaring that “we are the head and not the tail” or that “we shall be above and not beneath”, yet when circumstances emerge and cause us to stand out, we get scared and sabotage it because 1. I don’t think this is what God really wants for me (FALSE) or 2. I’m not sure I should be “in the spotlight.” BRO! SIS! STOP IT! 🛑 If you are a Christian, your sole purpose is to do just that: STAND OUT. STICK OUT. SHINE BRIGHT. All.of.this

My call to action: STOP BEING SHADY!

I’m talking to myself as well. I’m done shrinking back thinking I’m being humble all while I rob this dark world of the Light that I am. If I’m working hard, praying, and walking by the Spirit to live the abundant life created by God for me, then why, why would I want to shrink back, hide, or lay low? I’m light, you’re light, WE ARE LIGHT. And as Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-15 CSB:

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hide. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lamp stand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

So why do we try to hide? God’s intent for you and I is to actually be SEEN, HEARD, KNOWN all for His glory! “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 CSB These are Jesus’s words, not mine. We must ask ourselves, “Am I shining? Am I making God proud?”

“Ok Moyo, I hear what you’re saying but, how do I shine bright?” Here are a few ways:

1. By faith: Your light is put on display by sharing your faith! Exercise your faith by how grand your dreams are and share your testimonies. Encouraging both believers and non-believers. Philemon 1:6

2. By bearing fruits: When the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you have every ability to bear the fruits of the Spirit. You shine brightly when you are loving, patient, kind (not nice), gentle, peaceful, faithful, good, practice self-control/discipline. Galatians 5:22

3. By confidence: Knowing who we are in Christ and walking unapologetically in that truth turns up your light a notch.

So why should I bother shining my light anyway? Because 1. It’s a condition of your Christian identity. 2. There are promises tied to us shining our lights brightly. 3. It shows the world whose you are.

1. It’s a Command: Arise and Shine for your light has come! (Isaiah 60:1). Let your light shine before men (Matthew 5:16)

2. It brings Prestige: Nations will come to your light, Kings to your shining brightness (Isaiah 60:3)

3. It’s a declaration: By shining your light, you serve as a marquee sign to The Source, God Himself. All that you and I do here on earth are meant to declare God’s glory to all Mankind.

The enemy wants to dim our lights; he would prefer that we become shadows of ourselves. He doesn’t want us shining brightly because he’s fully aware of the implications surrounding that. He’d much rather have you and I being shady or hidden away from showing God’s fullness within us.

The devil tries to abort our identity by convincing us that we are not enough and that we will never be enough. His ploy is to distract you and I, and possibly make us forget who or what we are “the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy,” (John 10:10) and I, Moyo, come to thwart his plans right here, right now!

Say this with me “I am light. I am light. I am light.” Repeat this as many times as you need, write it out on a sticky note, post it on your closet door, wall, or wherever! As a believer, YOU are light. Listen, we are all gonna be shining by the time this post is over.

**In my best Beyonce voice** Shinin’ shinin’ shinin’ shinin’, yeah, shinin’ yeah

Let me tell you a quick story about when I first really truly discovered the reality that I am indeed light. It was on my 26th birthday; I remember it vividly.

At the beginning of that year, I had just started working at a private publishing firm, and I did my best to lay low and let my work speak for itself. I wasn’t interested in corporate politics, neither was I interested in making enemies, so I laid low. Every year, I have a ritual weeks before my birthdays to seek God’s face for the theme of my new year and that year was no different. I prayed and asked God “What’s the theme for this year?” and I heard “Glow in the dark.” I chuckled like, “Oooo K👀” and I left it at that. On the morning of my birthday, I got ready and headed to work (yes, I’m one of those who work on their birthday lol). That phrase ruminated in my heart “glow in the dark.”

On my way into the building, a coworker saw me and he decided to hold the elevator for me (chivalry and decency still exist ladies🙌🏾). “Glow in the dark” kept ringing in my ears. I got on the elevator and up we went. Midway through our commute, the light goes out in the elevator( OH LAWD! not today satan!)

But the elevator was still working🧐. We got to my floor and *ding* 💡 the elevator light came on right when the doors opened, and my coworker said “I guess you brought the light back.” I looked at him and smiled because he had NO idea what he just said to me! I felt like God was reminding me about our conversation once again.

I can say that since that day I was no longer able to “hide” at work. A boldness came over me to speak up, to encourage, to pray with others when necessary, and ultimately to be the best Staff Accountant that I could be on that team. From some feedback I received, I know for sure that lives were made better dare I say because my light shined. I can’t say whether it shined brightly, or maybe it was a simple flicker, but I know God was glorified during my time there.

So with excitement, I implore you that the task for us starting now is to be light, to BE RADIANT! After all, this is something that comes naturally to a RADster😉. The Bible itself calls us radiant (Isaiah 60:5 CSB). Wondering what being RAD or a RADster is all about? Check it out! SHINE BRIGHT tonight, you and I, now and always.

Stay RAD!🧡

∼Moyo∼

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I’d like to provide an opportunity to those who are yet to meet with Jesus. If you have a deep desire to know Jesus and enter into the kingdom of God you are in great company. I did at some point in my life, and it was the greatest desire that God ever met! 

I invite you to pray the sinner’s prayer: Dear Jesus, I accept that I am a sinner and I confess my sins before you. I believe that you died for my sins and rose again to give me a new life.  I ask that you forgive me of my sins; cleanse me with your precious blood which you shed on the cross of Calvary. I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior. Fill me up with your Holy Spirit and strengthen me. I profess that I am a new creature; old things have passed away and I have become new in You. Thank You, Lord! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

If you prayed the prayer, WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM FAMILY!! You are a new creature, the old has passed and the new is here! Be sure to find a bible believing, Spirit-led church in your city and purchase a bible in a version that you understand. I use the  New Living Translation, Message, Free Bible, Christian Standard Bible, or the New International Version. Enjoy the journey!