Sunstone

 

Holiness and glory shine out through me.

     Feldspars are a family of minerals including amazonite, labradorite, moonstone, and Sunstone. The feldspars are the most common and widespread rock-forming minerals and are large components in rocks like granite. Sunstone is a plagioclase feldspar, nearly identical but for streaks in the planes that it breaks along. Higher-grade gems look like they have gold and peach glitter within, and light will flash and roll within the stone as it is viewed from different angles. The cheapest stones, on the other hand, are more opaque peach and orange colors in dappled patterns. Sunstone has been found in Southern Norway, Sweden, various US localities, and at some beaches along the Midcoast of South Australia. Ancient cultures considered sunstone to be a holy gem, because the sun was a symbol of God to them, and sunstone reflected back the light of God. 

     "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day."

Proverbs 4:18

     At dawn, the sun and sky glow peachy and golden, streaming light across the sky and chasing away the darkness of the night. As the sun climbs higher in the sky, it fills the world with light from horizon to horizon. This verse says that the faith of believers shines like the sunrise, and as we grow closer to God, we shone brighter in the darkness of the world.

     “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

     When we live in God's will and have a strong faith in Him, the light of His glory shines through us, and everyone who meets us will be touched by His light as He shines through us. Without even preaching the gospel to people, they will be able to tell that we are God's followers by the way we act and speak.

     "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

1 Peter 1:13-16

     "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies."

Psalm 25:4-10

     By living in the love and holiness of God, we shine His light. These verses show us not only this, but also how we can learn to be holy- by coming to the Lord in faith and humility, and asking Him to teach us how to walk in righteousness.

     "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

Romans 4:20-25

     "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."

Psalm 37:5-6