We Were Meant to Shine: Victory Series, Part 35 (Temptation)
There is a worm in New Zealand called the glowworm (Arachnocampa luminosa).
It actually isn't a worm at all, but an insect, but it gets its name because in
its larvae stage and pupa stage, it glows in the dark!
These bugs attract numerous tourists to the Waitomo Caves, where millions of
them can be seen hanging from ceilings and walls. Who would have thought that
people would actually pay to look at bugs! Don't we have enough of them in our
own back yards?
If you take the boat trip in the caves however, you enter into a different
world. No pictures can be taken, but what you will see will fill you with awe
for a lifetime. Looking at the ceilings you will see these
bugs shine.
Because there are so many of them, it's as if you are looking at the night time
sky, alit with millions of beautiful stars, swaying delicately from side to
side.
Why do glowworms shine? As they hatch from their eggs, the glowworm builds a
nest and produces a sticky substance in the shape of threads. These threads, swaying out over the water, "light up" to attract
their food -- the abundant insects in the wet, dark cave. The light emitted
comes from a chemical reaction of Luciferin,
Luciferase, Adenosine triphosphate
and Oxygen. Imagine all of those chemicals in such a tiny bug! With all that, they
really can't help but shine!
The same is true for every follower of Christ: "Now that I've put you there on a
hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives.
By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous
Father in heaven." (Matt 5:16 The Message)
We can't help but shine, because our lives were meant to shine! How? By being
who we are: followers of the Christ! "Then their good character will shine
through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Savior God." (Titus
2:10 The Message)
This kind of shining, which is our purpose in this life, will draw us closer to
the Lover of our soul. It will also dim any temptation that may come our way.
Have you noticed that the devil will try to create any kind of obsession in
order to keep us from shining? And those who stay discouraged do not shine
because of the remaining obsessions with things that they were never supposed to
be distracted by in the first place!
What was the first thing Jesus did after he was tempted in the wilderness? He
went to Capernaum to witness! "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven is near.'" (Matt 4:17 NIV)
After His resurrection He invited His followers to meet Him in Galilee. Not
everyone was convinced, however. Some doubted! "Then the eleven disciples went
to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him,
they worshiped him; but some doubted." (Matt 28:16-17 NIV)
What is Jesus' cure for doubters? What is His solution for those going through
temptation (See Matt 4:17)?
To go witness! "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you." (Matt 28:18-20 NIV)
Why witness in these situations? Because then we will experience Jesus in ways
we would not have been otherwise possible! "And surely I am with you always, to
the very end of the age." (Matt 28:20 NIV)
Our purpose to shine is not for God's benefits, and though it does benefit
others, this is also not the purpose for us to shine. We are to shine in order
to benefit ourselves! Doubt and discouragement evaporate! Temptations are
transformed into opportunities as we take our stand and declare: "You do not
attract me any longer! My focus is now on Jesus. He is the One who fills me with
adrenaline! I have victory though Him!"
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(1 Cor 15:57 NIV)
If you wish to be like a glowworm, start being the follower of Christ you have
declared to be. Let Him shine through you! You'll see, it will soon come
naturally, and it will lead you into a life worth living, a life that will
attract others to God because of your brightness.
We were meant to shine!
Rob Chaffart
