Are You Shining for Him?

Last week when reading in the devotional My King and His Service by Frances Ridley Havergal, this powerful and convicting poem really spoke to my heart. The questions it asks are poignant, probing, and really made me think.

I hope it will be an encouragement to you as well to shine our light for Jesus Christ brighter . . . to love Him and serve Him with all that we are . . . if we have stumbled and shone dimly, to begin now to shine bright for Him . . . to be bold in love in sharing about our Savior and His saving gospel with others . . . to serve with a joyful heart . . . and much more . . . .

Shining

(emphasis in original)

Are you shining for Jesus, dear one?

You have given your heart to Him;

But is the light strong within it,

Or is it but pale and dim?

Can everybody see it, - 

That Jesus is all to you?

That your love to Him is burning

With radiance warm and true?

Is the seal upon your forehead,

So that it must be known

That you are 'all for Jesus,' -

That your heart is all His own?

Are you shining for Jesus, dear one?

You remember the first sweet ray,

When the sun arose upon you

And brought the gladsome day;

When you heard the gospel message,

And Jesus Himself drew near,

And helped you to trust Him simply,

And took away your fear;

When the darkness and the shadows

Fled like a weary night,

And you felt that you could praise Him,

And everything seemed bright.

Are you shining for Jesus, dear one,

So that the holy light

May enter the hearts of others

And make them glad and bright?

Have you spoken a word for Jesus,

And told to some around,

Who do not care about Him

What a Saviour you have found?

Have you lifted the lamp for others,

That has guided your own glad feet?

Have you echoed the loving message,

That seemed to you so sweet?

Are you shining for Jesus, dear one, -

Shining for Him all day,

Letting the light burn always

Along the varied way?

Always, - when those beside you

Are walking in the dark?

Always, - when no one is helping,

Or heeding your tiny spark?

Not idly letting it flicker

In every passing breeze

Of pleasure or temptation,

Of trouble or of ease?

Are you shining for Jesus, dear one, - 

Shining just everywhere,

Not only in easy places,

Not only just here or there?

Shining in happy gatherings,

Where all are loved and known?

Shining where all are strangers?

Shining when quite alone?

Shining at home, and making

True sunshine all around?

Shining abroad, and faithful -

Perhaps among faithless - found?

Are you shining for Jesus, dear one,

Not for yourself at all?

Not because dear ones, watching,

Would grieve if your lamp should fall?

Shining because you are walking

In the Sun's unclouded rays,

And you cannot help reflecting

The light on which you gaze?

Shining because it shineth

So warm and bright above,

That you must let out the gladness,

And you must show forth the love?

Are you shining for Jesus, dear one?

Or is there a little sigh

That the lamp His love has lighted

Does not burn clear and high?

Is the heavenly crown that waits you,

Still, still without a star,

Because your light is hidden,

And sent no rays afar?

Do you feel you have not loved Him

With love right brave and loyal,

But have faintly fought and followed

His banner bright and royal?

Oh, come again to Jesus!

Come as you came at first,

And tell Him all that hinders,

And tell Him all the worst;

And take His sweet forgiveness

As you took it once before,

And hear His kind voice saying,

'Peace! go, and sin no more!'

Then ask for grace and courage

His name to glorify,

That never more His precious light

Your dimness may deny.

Then rise, and, 'watching daily,'

Ask Him your lamp to trim

With the fresh oil He giveth,

That it may not burn dim.

Yes, rise and shine for Jesus!

Be brave, and bright, and true

To the true and loving Saviour,

Who gave Himself for you.

Oh, shine for Jesus, dear one,

And henceforth be your way

Bright with the light that shineth

Unto the perfect day!


"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

"for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn [lit. 'proving'] what is pleasing to the Lord." Ephesians 5:8-10

- Posted by Sarah