Less Dust, More Sparkle | January 1st, 2016

It’s the beginning of a new year. For some of you, it may feel like you are starting a new chapter in your life. Perhaps you are starting all over with a past goal you had made for yourself that you have not quite reached. Or, maybe you are wanting to start on a big exciting project you have put off for a while but are now finally mentally ready to begin. For me, I decided to embark on writing a new blog called Spiritual Sparkle. 

Ever since I went on my first antiquing expedition up in Nashville in 2009, I have been repurposing beautiful, sparkly vintage costume jewelry into rings, bracelets, cuffs, and necklaces. Over the past few years of repurposing, God has shown me many amazing connections between bringing the sparkle back to old, worn vintage jewelry and the way He brings the sparkle back in each one of us in every new chapter of our lives. These connections are what my Spiritual Sparkle blog is all about.

That first day of antiquing, I had found the most exquisite pair of rhinestone clip earrings from the 1950s that most likely had not been worn in years. Perhaps they would never be worn again if I had not rescued them from collecting so much dust in that antique shop!

The dust that had built up on those clip earrings reminded me of the disappointments, heartaches, stress, and pain in life that can also have a way of slowly diminishing our sparkle. After a good cleaning and polishing, their beautiful sparkle was brought back and they actually almost looked like new!

Let Your Light Shine

As followers of Christ, we are to be a shining light to those around us.

Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 5:14-16:

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

How is it possible to let your light shine brightly if you have years of built-up “dust” from life’s disappointments, heartaches, stress, and pain covering your sparkle?

Know that you were never meant to have to remove all of that dust on your own. It may be so thick from years of hardships and pain that, no matter how hard you try, it just will not come off. It’s a job meant for God. When you bring your anxiety to Him, He will take the burden for you, removing all those heavy layers of dust so you can truly shine for Him and bring Him glory.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  I Peter 5:7

Shine Bright in a Dark World

Another way God’s light can shine is through your actions. These are your good works that are done in obedience to Him simply because you love Him. Is there someone the Holy Spirit has brought to your mind who could use a word of encouragement? Instead of ignoring His nudging, listen closely to Him and then take action.

Sending a handwritten note card in the mail is a thing of the past for most people. In 2010, the typical household received a personal letter about 7 times a year, according to the annual post office survey. As recently as 1987, it was around 26 a year!

When I receive an encouraging note card that is handwritten from someone in the mail, it is not only a wonderful surprise, it also lifts my spirits sky high, especially when I am truly in need of being encouraged. This only requires a few moments of your time (and a stamp), but it shows the receiver God’s love and allows His light to shine brightly through you.

When you live a life that reflects Christ and His goodness, you will definitely stand out. In this dark world, most people are often only thinking about themselves. When you do good things for others to show God’s love for them, His light will shine very brightly through you. As Jesus explained it, your light will shine like a city on a hill. You can’t help but see its light shining brightly with nothing to block it!

Spiritual Sparklers

Sparkler #1: Prayer

Ask God to remove the layers of dust that have built up over your sparkle from the disappointments, heartache, stress, and pain in your life by giving Him all of your anxiety so you can shine much more brightly for Him.

Sparkler #2: Action

Show your love for God by doing good to others so they will see His light through you in this dark world and be drawn to Him as you show His love for them.

Sparkler #3: Challenge

Think about something specific you can do this week to demonstrate God’s love to others, allowing His light to shine more brightly through you.

Kimberly Moore is a blogger, speaker, and author of Beauty in a Life Repurposed and Kingdom Sparkle. To learn more, visit her website at kingdomsparkle.com.

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