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The winner for top commentator last month was Jesus Freak {applause}. He wins his own hosting and domain account. Please contact me to redeem it. I will announce the other winnings with other posts.
I am not sure if I ever mentioned what this year was for me, in case I didn’t, it’s my year of shining. At the time I accepted that as my word for the year, I didn’t have clarity on how much darkness would exist. I was more interested however in knowing what I needed to do so that my light could shine. It’s one thing to be a light, it’s another thing to shine the light.
There is no gainsaying that if you have any light in you, this year is one of the best times in the history of the world to shine it. People will move from absolute obscurity to prominence this year. People will rally round carriers of light. This is the year that if you have knowledge, information, the capacity to enlighten or educate, you will be sought after. Darkness is covering the earth, and gross darkness it’s people, but as always, that darkness provides an opportunity for some to shine. So the question today is since we know that there is darkness, how do we shine in these times.
Before we go into the subject matter for today, first consider something. I heard this perspective a few days ago, and I thought it was apt. Follow me into this picture. Imagine for one minute that the story of the exodus of the children of Isreal from Egypt was happening today. The first thing you need to realize is that we would probably not get more detailed information than what we are getting to hear about the war in palestine. No particular names or faces, just blurred news. We wouldn’t have known who Moses, was, and all the things that God told him would not have been on the news. Some things would have caught the attention of the media though – yes, frogs, locusts.. the news would have described it as a “plague” and probably christened it with a name. We call them Tsunami’s, Cathrina e.t.c, when we have no clue what is going on. Behind the scenes however, is not the overflowing of a courseless river, or the climaxing of an unprecendented sequence of events, behind the scenes is the deliberate hand of God, working in the universe to fulfill His purpose per time. The world christens it financial meltdown, crisis, economic depression, and many other brilliant names, but what it really is the the hand of God, working behind the scenes to create the conducive atmosphere for the fulfilment of prophecy!
So, back to shining, here are a few tips for shining and shining brightly.
1. Arise
There is a verse of the bible I love so much, and has been my motto for this year, it says “arise and shine, for your light is come, and the glory of the lord is risen upon you. Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising”. The first thing you need to do before you can shine is arise! In other words, that’s take responsibility. Find an area, your area, and don’t be caught sitting. You need to arise first and shine. No one lights a candle and keep it under the bushel. You want to shine, rise. In your career line, rise, in your business, rise, in your nation, rise. If you want to shine, you need to position yourself to be visible. One side of it is taking responsibility the other side of it is getting visible. Get a website, join a group or body, find your place and arise.
2. Be Deliberate
The verse didn’t say arise and you will shine, it says arise and shine. Shining has to be deliberate. Enough of people saying they like to be quiet, they like to be hidden, they like to be behind the scenes. It’s good to be all those things, but you need to find out a way to do them and still shine. I read in the bible as well, as one of the words of Jesus, he said “Let your light so shine, that men may see your good works and glorify the father in heaven”. He didn’t command that we shine, he commanded that we so shine. That means shine, shine, shine! Shine superlatively. We are done with the era of silence, minimal or nill expression. If you’ve got light, let it shine. The world all around is groping in darkness. Just this morning I recieved a text message from a friend that she had just come out of a meeting where she with some other people were downsized. Just as soon as I got that, I looked out the car and saw a newspaper headline of SEC asking the Federal Government to take over some sick banks. The cloud is getting thick with darkness. WE can’t afford you to be silent and abitrary anymore. Shine!
3. Operate with Understanding
It’s interesting that the verse says the reason you ought to shine is because your light has come, and that you have a glory that is risen upon you. I would have thought that if that was the case, it should be obvious enough not to require saying. I discovered however that nothing is obvious. Things become real not when they can be seen, but when they can be believed. I was recounting a story to a few of my friends yesterday, how in part 1 in university, I had made a goal for myself to get a 5.0 GPA implying that I was meant to score A’s in all my courses. I was in a small reading room one day, tackling one of my physics text books, when I got stuck on the answer to one of the last questions in the text book {Haliday we called it} chapters. I tried and tried but couldn’t solve the question to get the answer at the back of the book. Some hours later, one of the secondary school students – apparently a lecturers son, who I had gotten friendly with approached me to help him solve a physics problem from his secondary school text book. I asked him to bring it on – nothing in secondary school can challenge me. To my utter dismay the question he gave me was exactly the one I had battled with unsuccessfully. I asked him where he got the question from, and he told me from Nelkon and Parker – a secondary school text book. “What??”, I exclaimed. I asked him to show me, he did, and as soon as I saw that it was a secondary school question, I took it up and in 2 mins got it solved quite easily. I went back to my textbook, which had used alphabeths instead of numbers and cracked it in less than 2 mins. What happened? The light was there all the while, but I just came to understand that I was more than that question. The limitation I had before was in my mind, I saw the question as big, and it lived up to it. There are many giants around you that are actually dwarfs if you see them correctly. You need to operate from a point of understanding of who you are and what you carry!
4. Practice Reverse Paranoia
I had to just use that word 🙂 I have been carrying that word in my heart now for almost 48hrs and looking for the time when I’ll write again. The word is not totally mine though, some of it came from Jack Canfield. Reverse Paranoia is a state of life where you look at everything that happens to you as a good set up. Rather than the normal paranoid person that things that the world is falling apart on top of him, or the state of the economy is out to get him or his money, rather than think negative, reverse paranoia tells you to observe all these things and see them as a good set-up for you. In other words if you lose your job, be convinced it’s because there are better things. If you make a loss, it’s because you needed to for something that was coming ahead. If you don’t come first it’s so that you can be humble enough to get the reward that’s coming. Everything is working for your good. The Naira is sliding in your favour, the economy is collapsing because it’s your turn. Reverse paranoia is great paranoia.
5. Prepare
What a bird eats before it flies is what it flies with 🙂 {adapted from Yoruba}. If you don’t load yourself with information now, when it’s time to shine you will offer chrismas light. To shine and illuminate clearly, you must be filled with pure light. Sharpen your mind, develop your spirit. The bible also says that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, and with it he searches the inward parts. Your spirit is the source of light, your ability to connect with the heavenlies and transcribe the events of the time into the sequence of God’s calendar. Your ability to understand Cairus (set/appointed time) and make it applicable to Chronos (chronological time)- sorry for the greek. Prepare yourself – spend quality time with God, read your bible, be informed, think, reflect, meditate. There are different levels of light, which one do you want to be?
I really want to pour out my heart and say more… but I have a meeting that starts now… on the future. I’ll be back with part two.
38 thoughts on “How to Shine in Darkness”
This, Chairman, is word! I will still be commenting more on these things when I’ve got more time, probably by then, part 2 would be here, I have to be in a meeting too in a few minutes. Thanks.
God bless you for this wonderful post. I can sense the patterns in your last few posts points very vividly point to the present state of our world. I also know that it is not like you are trying to scare people neither are you going to be affected like most; but out of a sincere mind. I hope and pray that people will realize the extent of the crisis and the need to rise up to save our nation and by extension – our World! I particularly relate to your assertion that there is no better time to rise up and do something than now. If you have just a glimmer of hope in you – the World needs to hear from you.
Thanks for this again.
Ayobami
http://www.ayooladejo.com
I will arise and shine. I have no choice. I must shine.
Thanks Oga D
Pastor Dee, thanks for inspiring hope inspite of the present situation of things.
It’s amazing to know that God is deliberately positioning us as solutions to the world`s present problems.
To everyone out there,it’s time to work it out.If you have not started it’s not too late.We still have 11 months or thereabout in 2009 so start now to work out your shining.
We can’t give what we don’t have. I have to be prepared so that when i arise, i can sooo shine; and Reverse Paranoia? that has to be foremost in my mind now more than ever before……..all is working in my favour.
Fantastic post, welldone.
‘Paranoia’, this i have to carry with me from now on. Thanks
Reverse Paranoia
what a word for the season. There is gross darkness now, only those who are prepared will take advantage of the darkness.Let everyone send forth the light in him/her now. Its time to shine.
Bros, you hit some real truth again. I believe that is high time people took responsibility for their lives. I don’t think things will get better (as prophecy has to be fulfilled). There will always be enough reasons for people to complain but the story will be different for those that take charge.
The first step is for you to accept that your light has come. Then, arise and take responsibility. If you are walking through a dark tunnel, you may not see the end clearly. But as you keep walking and your light keeps shining you will see everything clearly. You have a choice to either stop moving forward and go back to where you are coming from or follow the “light” through to the end. Your choice today will determine the result you will get.
I pray that God will give us all understanding.
Wowwwwwww….Thanks Chairman for the hosting and domian account..This is interesting. Once i saw it, i called your number. It was until i read to the end that i realized that you are in a meeting.. I really appreciate your effort. I will get to talk with you later in the night (God willing) when i get to my personal office..lol
On this post..I need to add one more thing before you continue with part two and that is
6. Wisdom
I once read one James Hardley Chase novel titled “What is better than Money?” That was like 12 years ago..I devored the book with curiousity looking for what is better than money. I did found out that what is better than money is wisdom and since then i have craved for wisdom..
In shining out of darkness, wisdom is required. It takes the wisdom of God to set one permanently free from darkness to shine as light forever..
Thanks once again..
Lotta Love
Sir..I had to come back to comment again on this post. This is because i have been carrying some questions in my heart since the beginning of this month. I must confess, your no 2, 3 and 4 is an answer to part of my questions..I just pray that all will be according to God’s will
Out of the ashes of my dieing (darkness) today, i see the breaking forth (light) of another brand new day…
You are treasured and valued!!!
Thanks for this post
Gave me some things to think about and to do
I pray my light woudl shine too this year!
Dee,
It is like this is the best message I am getting from you. My payer is that all the reader will doer of the word. I bless the almighty God for given you as a gift to us in Nigeria. My fellow readers, arise and shine for this is the best time.
God bless Deolu.
Yes,
The reason why the children of Issachar were in command was becuase they had understanding of times and knew what Israel ought to do. 1Chronicles 12:32.
It is time for us to be in command because we understand the time- our time to shine.
Well, I call this year (like you) my year of Manifestation.
ONLY THE GODLY WILL SHINE!
Thank you, my brother.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for this piece. Thank you so much and May The Most High never leave you until He’s done with you.
I’m having issues registering as a funding partner on thefuturemovement.org. At the point of clicking submit, it takes me back to the starting page with errors even when I’ve properly filled all the fields in the form.
Thank you.
I FEEL TURNED ON READING THIS PUBLICATION. TURNED ON IN THAT IT HAS TRIGGERED MY BURNING DESIRE TO SHINE. AM NOT SURPRISED, THIS YEAR I KANOW GOD ALMIGHTY WILL PICK HIS CHOSEN ONE’S OUT OF THE DARKNESS TO A MARVELOUS LIGHT.
You are blessed Deolu, this is a great piece which i am sure will share with other young people around me as I always do with almost all your post! you are going somewhere, this I know, and you can not be contained!!!
Your pen will always be ready to write by His grace!!!
Awesome message for those who will apply it.
Thanks a million.
As i read, i laugh especially hearing the part that has to do with Haliday. It is still bemusing me. You know we sometimes see difficult problems because we believe we are holding difficult materials as the supposed solution manual. If you had not seen it from the idea that you are holding a less-difficult material, probably it would have remained a puzzle. Indeed may God give us understanding.
Please write more, the dissection of that verse is awesome.
Thank you.
In the olden days, in the land of Egypt, there was a region called GOSHEN. A place of total light in the midst of overwhelming darkness. A place of joy in the midst of outright cry with gnashing teeth. A place of absolute tranquility where the I AM THAT I AM was resident. Whao!
There is a GOSHEN in this present world. Some of us are living there.
Thank you Deolu for this post.
Hey,let me quickly add this: GOSHEN is a place of immunity.
Also, it is an everlasting and established truth that the spirit world controls the physical. The unseen over the seen. Men of the spirit will definitely control the physical world at these times. I mean they will glide.
I shared this topic with colleagues in my office this morning during our morning devotion and they were all blessed, at least 2 of them told me so. Thanks again Deolu for constant inspiration to so many people directly and indirectly
In shinning I must shine. I shall Manifest
Sequel to your post, i wrote something on “How To Give More of Yourself” You can please take time to read it
http://spiritofjesus.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-give-more-of-yourself.html
Thanks once again on the domain name and hosting
uncle d,you are too much,God will continue to inspire u
Great article Mr. Deolu,
Along with preparing, we should learn to stay “under God” by that i mean stay in God. The second verse nails this point
“Isa 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”
God arising over us and we agreeing to stay under him is a prerequisite to avoid the darkness and the Gorss darkness. because it really isn’t us that shines it is God that reveals his glory when he covers us
Thanks!
Beloved,
Thank you for the piece,the world indeed is in gross darkness.The bible says;Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;lean not unto thine own understanding,in all ur ways acknowledge him,HE shall direct ur path.No matter the darkness, God will surely light our path.Trust Him.
reverse paranoia is a great take away. keep it up. we must do this constantly if the situation will not hit beyond damage.
“For wisdom is a defence and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it”! Ecclesiates7-12.
“I will give thee the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that i, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of isreal”! Isaiah 45-3.
My Prophet thanks for this timely message, i missed reading it when you first posted it and only just read through! All your points are to be taken seriously by those that are wise…its said in my dialect that when an orphan sees a mother advicing her child…he/she had better listen! So those that are wise, should pay close attention to every word here and take DELIBRATE ACTIONS to implement the ones they need to be doing in their lives to help them position themselves for shining! My goal for this year is to prepare myself very well, with the help of God, so when opportunity comes, i will fit in naturally, like Joseph in the bible..
This is the year for us all to take care of our minds and stay focused, lets feed our minds with the right materials, because thats what we deliver the answers to us with the help of God in times of need!its indeed our year to arise and shine!
Thanks again! http://www.bridgetelesinspeaks.blogspot.com
Indeed Jesus is the Light of the World, all we need is just to acknowledge this fact but it does not end there, practice makes perfect. We need to be like him. Talk to situations, take charge and We will surely SHINE!
I Have always assumed that shinning is a consequence of rising. This master article has opened my eyes to the fact that they are 2 different things.
I will shine
Oga, wetin de oo abi u no de blog again. No stop o abeg. I never receive any of the recent blogs oo wetin happen. Abeg somebody should reply me fast fast o before i come Nigeria come overthrow the gorvernment. lol
Pls reply me abeg
DEOLU,GOD WILL REFRESH YOU.
DEOLU,GOD WILL BLESS YOU
well said! let me add that with ur good works should be the pillar of good character development with ultimately gives strength and value to the good works people see in our lives. expressions of love especially in our work places goes a long way to convince the people we work with that we are truly who we say we are.
uncle bros.isa.60:1 also is one of my favourite scriptures.it says wherever the child of God is, he is expected to shine.God bless you mightily.you always blow my mind i wish you know.God bless our country
I will rule my world! Thanks,sir.
Oga sir, thank God for this piece, Arise and shine, there is one thing to arise another thing to shine. God has created us as agents of light to show the world the way to succeed. To give direction to several wondering destinies. The world will gloom in darkness till we can show them the light of God.
Sometimes it requires commitment and determination. we need to take responsibility for the society we are. we are the era of thick, heavy darkness, where many mighty men are falling, great economies crashing, everybody is running from pillar to post. This is the time to help many lives to face reality of the time and make wise decisions towards sustainability.
God will empower us to shine and teach to take responsibility for a change society.
Once again, thanks.
Great, thanks for sharing this article post.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.