Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

— Matthew 5:16

One of my favorite poems is, "Our Deepest Fear!" by Marianne Williamson. Here are some verses taken from it:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us…

We are all meant to shine, as children do…

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

God designed each of one of us to shine. When God created Adam from dust, he created Adam to shine. When God created you and me, he created us to shine.

The Bible says, "You are the light of the world." And lights were created to shine. The problem is many of us are not shining. Too many of God’s children are going through life existing and not living. Living but not shining. Many of us wake up morning after morning stuck in routine when God has so much more for us.

For many of us our joy is gone, our peace of mind is gone and someone may be reading this right now and the love you had for your spouse when you got married is gone.

Today God wants to remind you that you are "designed to shine." God created you and me to be lights wherever we may be. We are designed to be lights on the job, lights in our homes, lights in our churches, lights wherever we may go.

What’s the purpose of a light? A light illuminates the space in which it is in; a light dispels the darkness, a light lights the way so people can find their way. The last two verses of the poem remind us of our daily mission:

"And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

What does it mean to shine? It means wherever God has placed you, you glorify God. It means that God has placed gifts inside of us so we can shine for him. But, I must warn you. When you shine, you will have haters.

When you shine there will be people in your family or on the job who will be used by Satan to try to keep you from shining. They will attempt to keep you from becoming all God has called you to be, no matter what you are going through or have been through.

Remember, "This little light of mine, I am going to let it shine!"

How do you shine for God? Read God’s word. Live God’s word. Spread God’s word. And your light will never go out!

Coastal family, let your light shine for God.

Norwood is the pastor of Hinesville Seven Day Adventist Church and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.