In A New Light
Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV
14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Have you ever seen yourself in this light? Pun intended. Seeing ourselves as the light of the world is a different way of perceiving our place in the world. And yet Jesus calls those of us who are His followers the light of the world. We are comfortable with Jesus being the light of the world. However, in the New Testament, references are made to believers being light. Here are three of those verses:
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8 NKJV
"You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness." 1 Thessalonians 5:5 NKJV
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV
As believers, we are called light, sons of light, and light in the Lord. So, seeing ourselves in this light is accurate.
Jesus said that one of the ways we shine our light is by our actions, our works. What we do can either shine the light or detract from it. This is one of the reasons why our good works are important. How we live is to be a testimony of what God has done in our lives. I am not talking about being perfect, but how we handle life speaks volumes.
I know Joy was reached by some believers when she was in college because she saw something different in them. She saw how they lived and wanted that in her life. Growing up, the emphasis of the evangelical church world was on witnessing. Church members would gather to go out door-to-door to witness for the Lord. Nothing wrong with that if it was done well, but a stronger witness is a life lived for the Lord. Being kind in a harsh world is shining your light. Having peace in the middle of an anxious society is shining your light. Being up in a down world is shining a light. It's not the biggest things that always hit home; sometimes it's the small things that shine the light for people who are in darkness. I have found that offering prayer when someone is hurting or going through a difficult time shines a light. It is rare that someone refuses prayer.
A good thing to ask the Lord is how you can shine your light in your world. I remember singing a song as a young child. This little light of mine I'm going to let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no! I'm going to let it shine. The song was more than a fun song for kids; the message was accurate.
Prayer
Lord, because of You, I am a light in the world. Show me how to effectively let my light shine so that You are seen and God is glorified.