As the aperture on my camera determines the focus of the picture’s subject, so the focus of my life determines how I live.

This is my desired focus: to point to Christ, to radiate Him. When I was younger, I always loved the story of when Moses went up on the mountain, saw the Lord and his face actually glowed. I used to pray that my face would radiate because of Jesus in me.

I used to think that I might be famous one day (haha), so I would have to shine bright. Although it’s true that famous Christians need to stand strong, as I grew up I realized that I don’t have to be popular in order to be effective for Christ… I can simply be a twinkling light as long as I’m faithful.

As the late Jerry Falwell, former president of Liberty University, said, “God didn’t call us to be popular, He calls us to be faithful.”

Christmas lights remind me of that. When you put a lot of them together–specifically, on a tree–they radiate and are a stunning sight to look at and sit by. Christians should be like these lights–a joy to sit by and a wonder to watch. Or, like my friend Chuck Hooten tweeted, “a window pane that unbelievers can press their noses up against to catch a glimpse of Jesus.”

Whether you’re popular or not, Christmas is a reminder to be faithful. Mary and Joseph were faithful in their marriage and on the journey to Bethlehem. God was faithful to offer His Son freely for our redemption. Emmanuel means “God with us”–Jesus was faithful to come to earth and endure the cross for our freedom. What faithfulness is this!

Please enjoy these pictures that I took on the porch last night and remember that the twinkling lights are sometimes the most beautiful and focus is important.