Shining like Diamonds

Whilst visiting our son in London he took us to the Natural History Museum. There were lots of interesting exhibits, but what caught my attention was a cabinet with a tray of beautiful diamonds. There must have been at least fifty, and as we looked at them we saw that some shone much more brightly than others. Then the lighting in the cabinet was gradually dimmed until it was completely dark, and ultra violet light directed on to the jewels. It was amazing then to see that those that had shone brightest in the light were now much dimmer, and the ones that had been hardly noticeable in the light were now dazzlingly beautiful, far brighter than those that had shone the brightest in the light.

It set me thinking about how the world is gradually becoming a darker and darker place, and the scriptural truth that, the darker the world becomes, the brighter ‘the Light’ shines. Jesus, we know, is the one true ‘Light’, but He also said that we, as His followers, are the light of the world, and we’re to let our light shine for others to see and be drawn to Him. Of course, we want to follow His instruction and be those who shine dazzlingly brightly with the light of real hope in Him.

But there’s a danger of being like those diamonds that shone brightest in the light, but then lost their brilliance in the darkness. If we proclaim Jesus as Lord and Saviour, yet have no real relationship with Him, then as the times get darker, our words will be hollow and others will see us stumbling in the darkness as much as they are. Our light will be dimmed, even extinguished, and we’ll convince no-one of the true and living God who has the power to save and to heal. The Bible warns about this: ‘God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth." (1 John 1:5-6)

Perhaps you don’t see yourself as one of those who shine dazzlingly brightly with the light of real hope in Jesus at all. Perhaps, you might even see yourself like one of those diamonds in the cabinet that were hardly noticeable at all.

Thankfully, by His grace and mercy, through relationship with the Father, through Jesus, God has made a way. When we’ve invited Him in, and set our hearts to walk with Him in His ways of truth and integrity, repentance and forgiveness, receiving His heart of love and compassion for ourselves and for others, He wants to do such a work in our lives that we become truly transformed. John tells us, ‘But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.’ (1 John 1:7)

When we allow Him to change us, as the world gets darker we don’t have to try and convince others that Jesus has the power to transform. Through our renewed attitudes, words and the way we behave, the light of Jesus dwelling in us, the Holy Spirit, shines out like the most beautiful diamond, bringing real hope to others.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You came as the beacon of true light to all men. Thank You that You came with the power to save, transform and heal. Thank You that, as I walk in relationship with You, You really are transforming my life. As the days grow darker, please help me to remain in You, that Your light, kindness, goodness, gentleness and hope might shine through me, drawing others to You. Amen.