There is a stirring power in the words of Isaiah 60:1: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” These words spoke to a people who had known darkness—exile, disappointment, uncertainty, and waiting. Yet God calls them not to remain in the shadows but to rise. To stand. To shine. Not because of their own strength, but because His light had come.
This is the heart of Epiphany: the revelation of Christ to the world. The Light of the world has stepped into human history. His presence changes everything. Light reveals. Light guides. Light heals. Light awakens. And when His light fills us, it shines through us.
But rising and shining is not always easy. There are days when the weight of life feels heavy, when discouragement settles in, when the future feels uncertain, or when the past feels too loud. There are moments when we feel more like hiding than shining. Yet God’s call remains the same: Arise. Not in your own strength, but in His. Shine. Not through your own brilliance, but through His glory reflected in your life.
The light of Christ is not something we manufacture. The light of Christ is something we receive. It is the result of abiding in Him, walking with Him, and allowing His presence to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. When we spend time with Jesus, His light becomes visible in our compassion, our patience, our forgiveness, our courage, and our hope.
Today, as you stand on the threshold of Epiphany, consider where God is calling you to rise. Maybe it’s rising above fear. Perhaps it’s rising out of discouragement. Maybe it’s rising into a new season of obedience, service, or faith. Consider where He is calling you to shine. Perhaps in your family, your workplace, your church, your community, or even in unseen ways that only He notices.
You don’t have to shine perfectly. You simply have to shine faithfully. The world does not need your perfection. The world needs God’s presence reflected through your life.
Remember today that you should not admire the light of Christ from afar; instead, carry it into the world. You are a bearer of His light. You are called, equipped, and empowered to shine.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for the light You bring into my life. Help me rise in Your strength and shine with Your love. Let Your presence fill me so that Your light flows through me into the world around me. Amen.
