What happens in the more ordinary moments of our day?
What if the ordinary is extraordinary to God?
We often talk about “shining our light,” but what does that actually look like in everyday life? Shining for Jesus doesn’t always mean doing something big, heroic, or extraordinary. Most of our opportunities to shine probably won’t look that way. Sometimes it looks like listening, offering a kind word, or quietly helping someone. Sometimes it looks like turning to God for help when we are struggling ourselves.
Maybe you have felt like your light is a little dim lately. You may be physically, mentally, or emotionally exhausted, anxious, hurting, or discouraged. Those feelings don’t mean you have nothing to give or that God cannot work through you. We may not recognize the light someone else sees in a small act of love.
We can pour out the Light by holding fast to the Word, reflect the Light that is Jesus, preparing ourselves, and practicing the pause.
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” ~Philppians 2:14-15
Holding Fast to the Word of Life
God doesn’t simply tell us to shine without telling us how that happens and aren’t we thankful He shares with us? He connects our shining with “holding fast the word of life” (Philippians 2:15–16). His Word gives us truth to hold on to as we learn to reflect Him.
Everyday pressures, worries and frustrations can take up more room in our thoughts than we realize. We all have moments when life bumps our cups and something spills out that we wish hadn’t. Those moments can remind us of our need to keep returning to God and His Word. They don’t have to become reasons to give up.
As we thirst for righteousness and drink in God’s Word of life, we fill our hearts and minds with what we want to overflow into our thoughts, words, and actions. Little by little, what we drink in helps us to pour out more of Jesus (Luke 6:45; Colossians 3:16).
God’s Word reminds us of what is true, helps us recognize patterns in our thoughts, actions, and words that need attention, and keeps pointing us back to Jesus—our true North (Hebrews 4:12; Romans 12:2; John 5:39). I’m so thankful for this, aren’t you?
Sometimes those reminders comfort us. Sometimes they challenge us. We need both- we need to feel comforted and to be challenged. When we recognize an attitude or response that needs to change, we can receive His instruction with humility and take the next step in putting it into practice (James 1:19–22).
We will always be growing and learning. God’s Word gives us a better way forward on our path.
Reflecting Jesus- The Light
As we spend time in God’s Word, we come to know Jesus more deeply—how He loved, how He served, and how He responded to people. He did all things without complaining or disputing (Philippians 2:14). There were many times and encounters with others that we might find it justifiable if Jesus complained and grumbled, but He chose not to so He could shine His light- He chose to be different than others around Him. As we follow Him, we learn to become more like Him
When we spend a great amount of time with someone, we begin to pick up some of their characteristics, mannerisms, and tone. Spending time with Jesus helps shape us the same way too. Isn’t that how it often works in our relationships?
Jesus often showed His love through actions we can practice in our own ordinary moments:
He welcomed children. When the disciples tried to turn them away, Jesus made room for them (Mark 10:13–16). Giving a child our attention and listening can help them feel seen and loved.
He noticed someone in a crowd. Jesus stopped to speak with the woman who touched His garment (Mark 5:25–34). We can notice someone standing alone or take a moment to offer encouragement. You can send a heartfel card with words of hope: “you are seen and loved” to someone who may often be overlooked. Never underestimate the power of words. Take time to speak life into someone. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad (Proverbs 12:25).
He showed kindness when He was tired. Weary from His journey, Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman beside a well (John 4:6–26). Even a brief, kind response can show love on a tiring day.
He shared meals with people others criticized. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:15–17). Making room at our table can open the door to a meaningful relationship.
He cared about practical needs. Jesus fed the five thousand (John 6:1–13). We may not multiply loaves and fish, but we can offer what we have to help meet a need.
He entered into someone else’s sorrow. Jesus wept with those grieving Lazarus (John 11:33–36). We can sit with someone who is hurting without having the perfect words. Our presence can mean so much.
He served humbly. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:3–15). An unnoticed task that makes someone’s day a little easier can be an expression of love.
He responded to mistreatment without returning it. Jesus did not retaliate with insults or threats (1 Peter 2:21–23). With God’s help, we can practice pausing and responding with gentleness.
He made time to pray. Jesus withdrew to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16). We need time with the Father too, bringing Him our needs and seeking His guidance.
He still thought of others when He was in pain. Even while suffering on the cross, Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who were hurting Him (Luke 23:34). When someone has hurt us, we can pray for them and reflect His love. When we are physically hurting because of illness or other limitations, we can still shine in small ways—a prayer, a kind word, or a loving response. This doesn’t mean ignoring our need for rest or pushing beyond what we are able to do. Even when we have little to give, God can use those small expressions of love to encourage someone else to keep going. Sometimes just showing others that you are still taking life day by day can be an encouragement when they feel weary. This shines the light of encouragement.
These are not a checklist we have to complete each day. Different seasons bring different opportunities and different limits. Sometimes we are the ones offering the encouragement, and sometimes we are the ones who need to receive it (and in humbly receiving the help we are shining our light).
The circumstances weren’t always ordinary, but many of Jesus’ responses are ones we can practice every day in the ordinary: noticing, welcoming, listening, serving, and choosing kindness.
Preparing to Shine
Preparing to shine begins with spending time with the One we want to reflect. Jesus reminds us that we need to abide in Him (John 15:4–5). We aren’t expected to do this through our own strength alone. That is especially comforting on the days we don’t feel bright and shining.
Jesus Himself experienced deep sorrow in the garden before His crucifixion. In that struggle, He prayed and sought His Father’s will (Matthew 26:36–46). His example reminds us that faithfulness doesn’t require us to feel cheerful. We can turn to God and seek His will while we are hurting.
Preparation can be simple:
Praying for help to develop the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). The book of Philippians is a great blue print for us.
Spending time in His Word and carrying its truths into our day (Colossians 3:16).
Spend often reading Romans 12 and let it saturate your thoughts and actions.
Asking for wisdom in the situations and conversations you will encounter (Colossians 4:5–6).
Some days, that may include an extended time of study and prayer. Other days, we may return throughout the day to a verse we have read and a simple prayer for help.
We can bring God our worries, ask for what we need, and practice directing our thoughts toward what is true and good (Philippians 4:6–9).
To help us with this, I have included a link to a free download with 31 days of prayer prompts.
https://www.inspiredimagesbynadia.com/shop/p/shine-as-lights-31-day-prayer-calendar
Practicing the Pause
Even when we have prepared our hearts, moments will still catch us off guard. Someone says something hurtful, a plan changes, or a conversation becomes difficult.
A pause can give us room to bring what we are feeling to God before deciding how to respond.
Isn’t it interesting that right before Scripture speaks of shining as lights, it says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing” (Philippians 2:14–15)? This brings shining into the everyday moments of our lives, including the frustrating ones.
Jesus shows an example of practicing the pause at a time He could have been very frustrated and could have really wanted to complain. We see Jesus practice the pause when the scribes and Pharisees brought Him a woman caught in adultery. They pressed Him for an answer, but He first stooped down and wrote on the ground before responding (John 8:3–11). Scripture doesn’t tell us what He wrote or why He waited, but we can notice that He did not rush to answer. His response challenged her accusers, and He treated the woman with mercy while calling her to leave her sin. His example reminds us that someone else’s urgency or emergency doesn’t have to become our urgency. We can take a moment and choose words that reflect both truth and grace.
Many of us know how quickly a complaint or defensive response can come out. Recognizing that gives us a place to begin. With God’s help, we can practice gratitude, grace, and humility (Colossians 3:12–17).
In the pause, we might ask:
What am I feeling, and what am I assuming?
What do I know to be true?
What does God’s Word say?
What response would reflect Jesus here?
We don’t have to work through every question in every moment. Sometimes a quiet prayer for help is a place to start.
That pause gives us an opportunity to respond thoughtfully and bring our thoughts back to the truth of God’s Word (Proverbs 15:28; 2 Corinthians 10:5).
And when we wish we had paused but didn’t, we can still take a faithful next step. We can apologize, seek forgiveness, and try again. A difficult moment does not have to define the rest of our day.
We can pause and pray.
We can return to what is true.
We can practice gratitude and grace.
Even that quiet choice is an ordinary opportunity to shine.
Reflection Thoughts & Questions:
As I think about the places I enter, I will think about pouring out Christ’s light. Remembering I am still growing and learning.
What is one small way I can reflect Jesus today?
Is it an offering peace, gratitude, a listening ear, a visit, sending a card of encouragement, gentleness, grace, or hope (Matthew 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 18; James 1:19; Colossians 3:12–14; Romans 15:13)?
How can I show His love to the people closest to me?
When I enter our homes after a difficult day, I may need a moment to pause and pray. I can be honest about being tired or overwhelmed while still seeking to speak with kindness. A warm greeting, a listening ear, or a sincere apology can help me to live in the “one another” spirit that Christ wants me to live in (Ephesians 4:29–32).
Where might there be an opportunity to encourage someone?
At work, at school, at church, or online, a thoughtful word or a small act of service may mean more than we realize. There may also be an opportunity to share the hope of the gospel (Colossians 4:5–6).
What do I need to bring to God today?
Perhaps I need comfort, wisdom, rest, forgiveness, or help from someone who cares. I can acknowledge those needs and allow others to encourage us too (Galatians 6:2).
I don’t have to take on every opportunity or measure our light against someone else’s. I can begin with what is in front of us and what we are able to offer today.
And if my light feels dim, I will remember: a feeling is not the full measure of your faithfulness. The quiet ways I keep turning to God, loving others, and choosing to try again may be more meaningful than I realize.
I can ask ourselves: What ordinary opportunity is right in front of me?
Appropriate Mindset:
We shine brighter as we hold fast to God’s Word and draw closer to His Son (Philippians 2:15–16; John 15:4–5).
Even when I feel weary, I can draw close to Jesus and trust Him to help me reflect His love—one ordinary moment at a time.
Affirmations:
I will see ordinary moments to shine my light as extraordinary moments.
I will keep God’s Word hidden in my heart and hold fast to it so that I can shine my light (Psalm 119:11; Philippians 2:15–16).
I will choose to pause before I react and redirect my thoughts toward truth (James 1:19–20; Philippians 4:8).
I will choose to look to Jesus and reflect Him (Ephesians 5:8–10).
Here is a link to a free 31 day calendar of affirmtations for you to download:
https://www.inspiredimagesbynadia.com/shop/p/shine-as-lights-31-day-calendar-of-affirmations
Here is a link to a free 31 day calendar for prayer prompts for you to download:
https://www.inspiredimagesbynadia.com/shop/p/shine-as-lights-31-day-prayer-calendar
