Dr. Robin H. Kimbrough
We all remember the lyrics of Earth, Wind, and Fire: “You are a shining star, no matter who you are, shining bright to see, for who you can truly be.” EWF’s words are true. We are shining stars for the world to see, and the light that should be shining in all of us is Jesus Christ. He is the light of the world.
As we look around the world, it seems there is more hate along racial lines, political view points, and gender identification. We seem to be walking around in the dark, groping at things, without seeing the truth—being blinded to love, peace, and unity. It takes the Light of the World to make us see beyond our differences and radiate the grace of God. One of the most familiar stories of the Christmas season is when the star appears to the Wise Men to guide them to the birth place of Jesus.
After telling a curious and threatened King Herod about a star leading the way to the birth place of Jesus, they continued their journey until the star stopped at Jesus’ location. According to Matthew: “when they say the star, they were overjoyed,” Matthew 2:1-9.
The star led them to Jesus, and we need to be today’s star leading people to Jesus, glowing with grace and the love of God. We are all on a faith journey searching for the light. Many, including ourselves, are suffering with sin, depression, hurt, and disappointment. These are all dark places, but there is a star that will help us see the light. If we are believers and have the spirit in hope, we can bring light to someone’s darkness.
We have the power to shine (in spite of our own darkness) because of Jesus Christ on the inside of us. Just like the stars we see in the sky, and the star that led the Magi to Jesus Christ, we often have to go through some explosive situations for our lights to shine. There are some who can testify that during the darkest times in their life, they saw the light. Although suffering is bad, hurtful, and can almost destroy an individual, it can also, if we let it, make us a star.
We can often see God’s power even more at work when we are challenged and going through the fire. This Christmas season, let us be the light in a world filled with darkness, and lead people to Jesus Christ so that they, too, may worship him, become overjoyed, and be filled with peace and the grace of God.
You are a star.
