"Do not compromise your witness. Let your light continue to shine."

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. -- Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV)
This scripture jumped out at me as I contemplated composing this blog. A Facebook friend shared it as his post for the day with the comment, “Do not compromise your witness. Let your light continue to shine.” Those words are simple and straightforward, yet adhering to them as a standard in everyday life is not always easy.
I think of my friend, Patty, as I read this scripture and know that she stayed the course as she lived, worked, loved, played, painted, and journeyed through this life. Patty would be the first to tell you that she wasn’t always a bright light, but I admired her spunk and ability to see herself honestly and, if needed, extend an apology if she thought for a minute that she had done something to compromise her witness. In our last Sunday school session before Patty died, she talked about “losing it” with the doctors during a very stressful episode in her son’s recent hospitalization and surgery. It was an intense time for her and yet, she sheepishly told us that she went back to the family and patient next to her son, and apologized for her “bad attitude” during her son’s crisis. How many of us would do the same? I place myself in that situation and can not in all honesty say I would think to apologize to a perfect stranger for doing what comes naturally for a mom – protecting her young. However, that anecdote from Patty’s life has given me pause to think more intentionally about my attitudes in so much of my life and interactions with others.
If we are to truly do more in living out the purpose God has given us, we must live the words of the Apostle Paul written centuries ago to the Philippian church. One can only surmise that the people in this church struggled with their actions and attitudes as Christians just as we do today. We know that God sees our hearts and actions, and that alone is reason to be uncompromising in our witness. However, the stranger on the street or in that long checkout line at the store is also watching. The way we handle the mundane irritations and frustrations in life on our worst days may be the critical witness for others in their journey to the cross and salvation. I am challenged to be more mindful of my attitudes and behavior as I go through this life. My prayer is that God through His Holy Spirit will prompt, rebuke, and refine me to be that shining light in this world so others may find their way to the cross and a relationship with the Lord.

~Winne