Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and Christians

One of my favorite Christmas stories is Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. I just love the story of the outcast little reindeer that everyone picks on actually coming out on top and saving the day! Tonight as the girls and I watched this family favorite a thought crossed my mind of how the story of Rudolph rings true in the lives of Christ followers. See Rudolph, as we all know, was different from the other reindeers, with his bright shiny nose came taunting, name calling and isolation. Poor little Rudolph hated his nose and was ashamed of it and in some stories he even tried different ways to cover his nose. But as the story goes......in the end the light that he was able to give ended up saving Christmas. He was able to lead the way!! I couldn't help but think of the life of believers and how many are ashamed, embarrassed or afraid of showing their light. How can anyone as a lover of Christ hide the very light that leads the way?!? Jesus came to be a light in the darkness....I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness John 12:46 (NIV). And he has called us and placed that light in us to share with the world. Matthew 5:14-15 says just that and I love how its written in The Message version.....^14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Awesome! See Rudolph didn't realize the beauty and power of his light because he allowed the ridicule of his peers to bring shame and embarrassment, but when Santa Claus called him out and said "Rudolph with your nose so bright would you guide my sleigh tonight?" Rudolph new his worth and purpose in the mission of Christmas. His light led the way and saved the day! As Christ followers our light is to shine bright! Don't let the ridicule of the world cause embarrassment so that we try and cover our light. God is calling you out of the darkness to be a light to lead the way, so let it SHINE!!