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
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.