We’ve complicated Christianity. Somewhere along the way, we turned following Jesus into a performance—a constant, exhausting effort to “be better,” “do more,” and “shine brighter.” But what if we got it all wrong?
What if shining for Christ was never about trying harder but simply turning toward Him?
1️⃣ The Moon Doesn’t Try to Shine—It Just Reflects
Ever noticed how the moon never stresses about shining? It doesn’t wake up (if it ever sleeps) and say, “Oh no! What if I’m not glowing enough tonight?” It simply faces the sun, and boom—light.
Eric Gilmour puts it this way:
🗣️ “When Christianity changes from behaving to beholding, struggling is replaced with snuggling and wrestling with nestling.”
Eric Gilmour (Sonship int’l)
Christianity isn’t about behavior modification—it’s about intimacy with Jesus. The more we behold Him, the more we reflect Him. Just like the moon, our job isn’t to generate light but to stay positioned where His light can hit us.
📖 “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:18
Transformation happens not by striving, but by staring.
2️⃣ The One Thing That Can Block Your Light
But here’s the problem—sometimes, the moon doesn’t shine. Not because the sun stopped shining, but because something got in the way.
What happens during a lunar eclipse? The earth comes between the moon and the sun. The world blocks the light.
Same with us.
When the world gets between us and Jesus, our light fades. Not because His power has diminished, but because we’ve let something else steal our focus.
🔹 Sin? It dims the light.
🔹 Fear of people’s opinions? That’s an eclipse.
🔹 Busyness and distractions? They cast a shadow.
🔹 Self-effort instead of surrender? That’s wrestling instead of nestling.
Jesus warned about this:
📖 “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
— Matthew 5:15
Could it be that we are the ones covering our own light?
3️⃣ Stop Trying—Start Turning
Here’s where it gets real—you can’t make yourself shine. You can try harder or work more, but if you’re facing the wrong direction, no amount of effort will produce light.
Eric Gilmour again:
🗣️ “The secret to shining is not more effort—it’s more exposure to Him.”
🔥 Want to shine? Face the Son.
🔥 Want to radiate Christ? Stay in His presence.
🔥 Want effortless transformation? Shift from struggling to snuggling.
It’s not about trying to be holy—it’s about getting so close to Jesus that holiness becomes your natural glow.
4️⃣ The Question You Need to Ask
So here’s the real question:
Are you trying to shine, or are you positioned to shine?
The moon doesn’t work hard to be bright—it simply stays in the right place. The same goes for us. If we’re not shining, we don’t need more effort—we need more exposure to Jesus.
🔥 Final Thought: Are You Facing the Son?
Look at your life. Has something eclipsed your light? Are you striving instead of soaking in His presence?
💬 What’s one thing that tries to block your light? How do you stay positioned to reflect Christ? Let’s talk! 👇🔥