Each day during the month of March we will be sharing a devotional from a booklet written by Steve Love. Steve is a member of Canton First and a Traumatic Brain Injury survivor. If you would like a complete PDF of this devotional, it can be downloaded here.
Day 17
2 Corinthians 4:6 (New International Version)
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
March 17th is a day to wear green. It is a day in which you can show pride in being Irish. Saint Patrick’s Day will bring many images of how the day is celebrated in our community. Did you know that Saint Patrick was not Irish? He lived in Ireland twice, once by force the other time by choice. The first time Patrick went to Ireland was as a slave. He was taken from his homeland by Irish slavers and sold in Ireland. He finally escaped from his slavery and returned home. Years latter as a priest in the church he chose to go back and take the Gospel message to Ireland. Patrick chose to take God’s light to the world which enslaved him. Patrick believed in our verse for today – that God’s light could shine in darkness through Christ.
His light shines in our heart/mind/soul giving us knowledge of God and Jesus. God gave us light, beginning at His creation. He wants us to know Him and to know His son Jesus. He shines His light into our heart/mind/soul. What is the light He shines? Paul tells us it is the light of knowledge. Knowledge of God and Jesus allows us to realize our need for God to live in our lives. When God live in our heart/mind/soul we become a beacon bringing the light of God to others who are in need of His light in their lives. That was why Patrick went back to Ireland. He went back to let God’s light shine and penetrate the darkness with existed in the land which held him in slavery.
Patrick allowed the light of God to shine though him. He made a great impact on Ireland. With God’s help and His light shining though us we will impact those around us. We can let His light shine so other can see how God is with us helping us handle our lives. We can bring hope and understanding to others who are coming to terms with life with brain injury. Support Groups allow us to get the help and understanding we need. They also allow us the chance to help others who need to know that living with a brain injury need not stop someone from living a meaningful life. A support Group allows us to become a role model, to bring enlightenment to others about life with a brain injury. I am very thankful for my role models I have had.
Green is a special color in the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day. Green is also a special in bringing light to living with brain injury. The ribbon which represents Brain Injury Awareness is green because it represents the new life and the growth, we experience in our rehabilitation process. The ribbon stands for the journey we must travel living a life with a brain injury. I wear a ribbon and a green wrist ban every place go. I want to do my part in bringing awareness about brain injury to every one around me.
Saint Patrick let the light of God shine in Ireland. We must let His light shine though us. Children sing the song “This Little Light of Mine.” The message of the song is simple but one we must take to heart. We need to let the world see and to know God. His light can shine though us into the lives of others
Pray and thank God for giving us His light.
Pray and thank God for the support groups and role models who are help us and our families has we live with brain injury.
Pray and ask God to help you let your light shine in your community.