Lit from Within (06/24/2025)

The first time I met her, I knew she was special in a spiritual way. Her joy was so profoundly present not only on her face but in her eyes and in her openness. Her enthusiasm made me smile, thinking to myself the root of the word (yes, I am a word nerd) – “God within.” And I immediately put her in my “lit from within” column.

I hope and pray you know some “lit from within” people. They make a huge difference in our world. They are people of faith, they are people of hope, they are so full of love for the LORD that they glow and their aura falls upon those in their midst who immediately feel loved. I have been blessed to know many individuals over the years who embody this description and every time I encounter them, I find myself praying to the LORD that someday I may be one “lit from within” who brings Christ to others and others to Christ as the “light” He calls us to be.

It is one of my favorite passages in Matthew, “You are the light of the world.” He calls us to be “light”. But we cannot be without Him. Because He is the true light…”I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). We need Him and His love burning bright within us if we are going to emit that light to others. He promises us that is we remain in Him, He will remain in us (John 15). Daily I know I ask the LORD for help with just that – help me to remain in You, LORD.

He tells us, “your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Heavenly Father (Mt. 5:16). I think of individuals I know who truly are a “light” – they brighten spaces just by entering in. Their joy and their love conquers darkness; I don’t know how it works – I just know it does.

As we go forth this day, may we be lights, may our joy and our love be so obvious that even a near sighted man on a galloping horse would notice. And may we bring our love for the LORD and for our sisters and brothers with us wherever we go.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.