31 MARCH

ARISE AND SHINE

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”(Isaiah 60:1)

Israelmore Ayivor once said, “Do not put “full stops” in between the sentences that make up your life story. If anything, let “commas” show that when you were brought down by challenges, you rose up with passion and moved on again!” The power and light of the resurrected Christ within us make us arise, and shine through us in all places, at all times, no matter the circumstances, dispelling the darkness of our surroundings. We are even more precious than diamonds before God.

The diamond, in its rarity and beauty, is a symbol of purity and innocence, of love and fidelity. It connotes strength of character, ethics, and faithfulness to oneself and others. It is indicative of the loving and open nature with which one came into the physical realm, and encourages the aspect of truth and trust. So, the Lord builds us to reflect His love and faithfulness.

Diamonds are formed miles in the depth of the earth, taking sometime between one and three billion years. Formed by heat and pressure, diamonds are then delivered to the earth’s surface by deep–source volcanic eruptions that bring the diamonds up to the ocean floor. As we can, in simplistic terms, say that a diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure, so with time, under the feet of our Saviour, with the pressures and heat of adversity, sometimes issues which erupt like the volcanoes bring our light to the surface to shine brighter and brighter on the path for us and others and unto the perfect day.

ACTION: The righteous man falls seven times and rises seven times. Resolve to be like the diamond pushed up to shine from all the pressures of life.

PRAYER: Lord, please, hold me up.