(Genesis 17:1) When Abram was ninety-nine years old, The Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.”

(Matthew 5:16) In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

When I read what God said to Abram, “walk before me,” I pictured in my mind Abram walking along a path, and God the Father watching over him like a proud Father.  Imagine, when you go out to start your day, God your Father is there watching over you like a proud Father.  He is looking to see you walking out as his faithful and blameless child.  Wouldn’t that modify your view of the day?  Your Father is watching over you, and he’s smiling a pleased smile over you.

With this image of walking before God in your mind, it seems easier to envision being a shining light to everyone you encounter.  God’s smile yields a smile in you that flows forth into your world, shining a light of good deeds throughout the day, and bringing glory to your Father in heaven.

I woke up the other day quite grouchy.  Then, slowly, the topic that I planned to write about this week began to creep into my awareness.  Oh yes, I’m walking before God my Father,  He’s smiling over me,  I’m going to let my light shine and bring glory to him.  Sheepishly, I turned to the Lord for help.  It took a while, but I finally got a dim light going.  The more I thought about walking before God, the brighter my light and the more pleasant my encounters.  My wife and others were the recipients of good rather than evil that day.  I felt good about the victory that the Holy Spirit led me through. Then the questions started forming. Will I be able to humble myself before God tomorrow?  Will I remember that I’m walking before my Father God?  Will those I encounter be blessed?   I hope so!