Coffee and Conversations

I love this picture’s depiction of the word “Shimmer”. Shimmer sets forth the reflection of light off of an object, such as the bench in the picture. Part of the purpose of light is to make aware that which has been hidden in the dark. Light exposes the junk, the imperfections, and the little spots of stains hidden in the deep domain of the abyss called life. We fight and struggle to find the purpose that will make us shimmer so we can reflect the intricate details that we have been shaped for because it gives us validity. Proverbs 20:25 reads like this when it comes to trying to invent the shimmer, “it is a snare to say rashly, “it is holy, “and to reflect only after making vows.” It is an aged process to shimmer the purpose of our life, because as we walk through the darkness of our junk, we begin to see the glimmering hope of the shimmer. Like this bench in the picture you may feel weather beaten and worn, people may sit, lean, stand, and trample on you but like the bench you will one day look back and see that your purpose was to provide rest for weary souls.

Shine









When the sun breaks forth from a cloud it reenergizes the landscape, it shines its light on the colors of the world giving deep distinction to the individual participants. I love to see people shine; it gives forth hope and anticipation to life and living. Distinguishing between finding a purpose and living out a purpose is somewhat complex and confusing such as: The Sun being hid by the clouds, we really do not know its full potential until the sun shines over the edge and reveals its purpose. The Sun has one purpose, it is to shine. When the sun is living its purpose, it is providing life to us through nature by bearing forth the fruits of the fields, trees, and power we need to produce sustainable living. Paul describes this shine in 2 Corinthians 4:6 by giving us a picture of its purpose stating, “For God, who said, “let light shine out of darkness, “ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” The brightness of God’s glory shines in the face of Jesus Christ; therefore, when God’s presence is manifested it is the shine of Jesus that sheds forth light through us that gives distinction to His glory. The only reason we do not shine the life of Christ in us is because we are hid behind the clouds of guilt, shame, and doubt.





Radiate





This picture radiates, I love it, it gives us a clear distinction of how the sunlight beams forth its energy. The energy that permeates itself through windows, clothing, and food is the beam of the sun’s rays. The sun can be described as radiant or brilliant, it is bright, and it is infectious. To radiate is to reflect the life of the object. The sun’s radiance is its beams; it naturally produces beams of light because the source of the light is producing it. This analogy can be somewhat tormented in ministry because we often believe that life is found in the process of working for God. We’ve been called to radiate life in ministry. I’ve worked tooth and nail to try and produce a good feeling in depths of my soul’s chamber, and yet it never brought forth satisfaction. When God is producing ministry it radiates life. As a result, when I stand in front of a group of people and share scripture it is a result of life and not a means to finding life. I’ve wasted way to many days worrying about finding life in my works. My works are as filthy rags compared to the good works of God who has called us to do but one thing; and that is to believe. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” (Hebrews 1:3).

Final Words



Shawn Mullins, at least in this ballad, shares a significant area of life in the words he writes, “we’re born to shimmer, we’re born to shine, we’re born to radiate…” It is in these characteristics of light that we are given hope by Jesus when he states of us in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Just as God led the children of Israel out of captivity by a pillar of fire by night which was leading to life, so we find life as we learn to shimmer, shine, and radiate the life of God as we grow in intimacy with Him. What is the work of God? Jesus stated it like this in John 6:26-27, and then they said to him, “what must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “this is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”