I walked into Charming Charlie’s thinking I might buy a couple of Christmas presents for friends and a thing or two for me. Little did I know I’d walk out of the store a changed woman.

For the last 8 years, every year God gives me a word or phrase as a theme for my year. Normally I discover my word through much Bible reading and prayer. This year, I found my word while I was standing in front of the sparkly silver costume jewelry at one of my favorite stores.

Or maybe I should say — my word found me.

I carried the cute sign to the register and took out my wallet  with a big smile on my face. I do believe I heard a word from the. Lord.

I walked out of the store tingling all over. What does God expect you to do after you’ve emerged from the fire?

Apparently, he wants you to. sparkle a little Jesus glitter all around the atmosphere.

When I got home, I showed my new sparkly shelf sitter to Bruce, and then I placed it on my desk next to my laptop. I wanted confirmation I was indeed hearing God speak and not just going crazy — because when God wants me to listen up, He normally will repeat Himself. So, I went straight to Bible Gateway and typed in the word “sparkle.” I discovered an obscure verse in Zechariah where the prophet declares Christ will return for His own — who are sparkling like the gems in His crown.

More tingling. I took a screen shot of my new favorite verse in Zechariah and googled the definition of “sparkle.” To sparkle means to emit sparks of fire or light; to shine or glisten as a brilliant gem (Hello, Holy Spirit!); to be brilliant, lively or vivacious.

The Amplified translation expands the word sparkle as “lifted high over and shining glitteringly.” Apparently, the original Hebrew word used here implies being conspicuous as a signal, to raised as  a beacon and lifted up as a military flag.

She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.

As a daughter of the King of kings, I am called to reflect His glory everywhere I go.

For the next two weeks, I sat down at my desk every morning and picked up my sparkly sign and shook it. I watched all the little glittery pieces float all over atmosphere, and I must confess it made my heart happy. There is just something special about sparkles of light— especially in this dark world where brokenness tries to cloud our view of God’s glory every day.

Maybe like me you want to sparkle, but instead you end up stressed out over all the struggles you are facing.

Instead of glittering, you just really wish Jesus would come back and get you out of here.

I get it, friend. Really, I do. Some days, I don’t want to sparkle. I just want to hide under the covers and pretend I don’t have to deal with my mess.

But here is the thing with my God: He is calling. me to step out of my comfort zone. He wants to sprinkle His glory all over the place, and for some crazy reason, He likes to partner with scaredy cats like me.

So, a couple of weeks later, I was hiding under the covers and wasting time scrolling on Facebook when He got my attention once again.

My friend. Susan, had reached out to me the night before, and she had mentioned a new book she was obsessed with, except she couldn’t remember the title. She promised to send me a picture of the cover.

And there in my Facebook inbox the picture of her book landed like a prophetic flash of lightning. The title instantly made me tingle all over again:  Sparking Gems from the Greek, volume 1.

Don’t tell me God is not real. He sent me a Facebook message.

I started praying for God to teach me how to sparkle — and just a few days later I was reading in II Timothy and the words jumped right off the page and got my toes tingling again.

5 Ways to Spread a Little Sparkle in the New Year

Light up your prayer life.

Your prayer closet is a sparkle factory.The more time you spend on your knees in intercession, the more you will help spread the glitter of God’s redemption around your world.

“I thank God, whom I serve as did our people of long ago. I serve God, knowing that what I have done is right. Night and day I thank God for you. Night and day I always remember you in my prayers.” (II Timothy 1:3, NIRV)

Kindle a few faith-filled friendships

Sparkle spreads around and sticks to you. Make sure you spend time with people who are shining brightly and pointing to the Savior.

“I remember your tears. I long to see you so that I can be filled with joy. I remember your honest and true faith. It was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. And I am certain that it is now alive in you also.” (II Timothy 1:4-5)

Fire up a passion for your God-given purpose

What makes your heart come alive? You are uniquely designed by God to reflect His goodness and grace to this world. Unleash your inner sparkle and use your spiritual gifts to serve.   

“This is why I remind you to help God’s gift grow, just as a small spark grows into a fire. God put his gift in you when I placed my hands on you.” (II Timothy 1:6)

Quench your fears and fan the flames of faith

The enemy wants you to paralyze you with fear to prevent you from sparkling for Jesus. Remember God has already given you His power, love and sound judgment.  You can push past those fears because every anxious thought is a lie wrapped up in shiny packaging to distract you from the Truth. Keep calm and sparkle on, friend.  

“God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves.” (II Timothy 1:7)

Radiate the warmth of Christ’s love

Never forget Jesus suffered on a cruel cross and rose from the dead to rescue you from the darkness. Your Savior has already conquered the darkness, and His resurrection power resides is within you. Rise up and sparkle, sister. You are partnering with Him to love the lost and lead them to the light. You are on a mission of redemption. 

“So don’t be ashamed of the message about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us do that.” (II Timothy 1:8)

Are you ready to face 2019 with renewed faith? To help you sparkle, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Start your year praying each day for God to do a miraculous work in your world. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to rock your world. Let’s #PrayBig and stand on God’s promises in 2019!

When we give God our inner sparkle, every single day we surrender to Him makes an eternal difference. Those shiny specks we surrender as an offering in Jesus name help scatter His love and grace all over the world. Your radiant joy will land in dark corners of the earth and reach the lost, encourage the weary, and forever transform the atmosphere.

Leave a little God sparkle everywhere you go.

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Photo Credit: Oliver Sjöström, via Pixabay

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