How Brightly Are You Shining?

I opened Oswald Chambers' devotional reading for today and meditated long on this passage: "A person who is a beautiful saint can be a hindrance in leading people to the Lord by presenting only what Christ has done for him, instead of presenting Jesus Christ Himself. Others will be left with this thought - 'What a fine person that man is!' that is not being a true friend of the Bridegroom; I am increasing, He is not."


I personally do not think there is anything wrong with sharing our testimony of what God has done for us (or through us). One hopes that in doing this it will build up another's faith and bring encouragement. However, I believe I know what Chambers is talking about and the caution he is bringing us. I've experienced it myself. My years of walking with the Lord have been so incredibly blessed and I certainly do give Him all the glory for that! But I am sitting here recalling quite a number of times when I would return from mission trips to Kenya or Nepal or Peru or Russia, so eager to share all that God did and the miracles I witnessed. One day, with great exuberance and joy I shared how I laid my hands on a very young boy who was blind in one eye and how I watched in awe as God created an iris, then a pupil, and the young child covered his good eye and then squealed with delight when he could see out of the new eye God had created! The person I was sharing with shrank back, lowered his head and softly said, "God has never done anything like that when I pray. I guess I'm not worthy of it." My heart sank. I was increasing, God was not. Though I meant to testify of God's mighty power, this man interpreted it as Chambers said: "What a fine person that woman is!" But then he felt unworthy to be used of God.


Another time I was sharing with a woman in a church about how life-changing a trip to Israel can be. "I felt the Presence of Yeshua in every footstep, and I came to know Him as never before!" I exclaimed. Her response was almost one of resentment. "That must be nice. I will never be able to afford to go there." What did I do wrong in testifying about my joy in the Presence of the Lord?" Clearly I presented what the Lord did for me instead of presenting Himself. 


I believe in the power of second witnesses. It's biblical! So when a word came through my email this morning from Pam Jackson (a word sent not just to me but to hundreds), I knew I needed to write this blog and share with all of you. This must be something that's on God's heart for each of us in this season.
Pam Jackson
March 25, 2025. How brightly are you shining? Are you at 100 watts or are you at 50 watts? Are you shining or are you just flickering? It’s time for you to fully shine in My light. When you try to shine in your own power, you will start to flicker then you will completely burn out. So let Me charge you daily so you shine brighter and brighter. You will be a light in the darkness.
2 Corinthians 4:6 (MSG) “Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.” 
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In light of this "double message" I'm going to try to concentrate on simply shining the light of Yeshua brighter and brighter...without drawing attention to myself. All I am, really, is a messenger, an errand runner from Him to you!