Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
It’s good to take time and listen. When we are quiet, this is when we can hear Jesus more clearly. He knows how busy our days are, but does He really require that much time from us? He wants more than just hearing our petitions and cries for help. He wants a true heart conversation. He desires to know our struggles and where we would like His help to grow. Does He already know this? Yes, of course, however a relationship is not one-sided, but takes two people to communicate.
It’s good to reflect on ourselves occasionally and to listen to God as He shows us areas that we need to work on. He values that we desire more of Him, wanting to grow and He sees our struggles. We need to keep pressing forward and understand that He does not condemn us when we fall short. When we go to Him, He is here, in the now, for us and He will help us to see our own growth that we may be blind to.
We can’t get down on ourselves, we need to get up again and keep pressing forward. We need to be transparent, as everyone can spot a phony and see through our shortcomings. So let’s SHINE on. Let’s allow our light to shine in such a way that those who see us recognize and honor Christ, and as we do this, they will want to know Him. And that is what truly matters.