Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The world is a dark place. Watch the news and see one bad thing after another. If you look at the darkness, it can become overwhelming. You can develop a hopeless demeanor from too much negative input. But we cannot ignore the evil that comes from sin. We are a fallen people. So what to do? Do we ignore all the bad? Not hardly! But better to set a good example.
Jesus was teaching His disciples about how they should live. He went up the side of a mountain and sat down to teach. He shared what is now know as the Beatitudes in this Sermon on the Mount. Instead of living the way the world lives, Jesus taught how we should live and that we should set the example. Right living will bring glory to God.
Imagine you are in a totally dark room. There is no light so you cannot see anything. Now imagine you light one candle in that room. What happens? That one candle adds enough light to the room so you can see. The light dispels the darkness. What do we learn from this? That adding just a little light to a dark place changes things. It dispels darkness. It gives back hope. One of the plagues in Egypt was darkness; it was a darkness you could feel. Sometimes, while watching the news, I can feel the darkness. I see the evil one causing doubt and despair and feelings of hopelessness. You can change all that with your light. Be an encourager.
Instead of giving in to the darkness, light your light. Jesus called you the light of the world. Don’t hide it but let your light be seen by all. Your light comes from the true Light of the World. Let His glory shine out through you to brighten up your corner of the world. If each of us shines our light, the darkness would be pushed back and the world will be a bright place of hope. God’s love is that light. He asked us to love one another like He loves us. Do that and you can push back the darkness. Do random acts of kindness today to shine your light!
Lord, You said we are to shine our light! Our light is but a reflection of You, the Light of the World! Help us to be bold and shine into the dark places. Strengthen our resolve to shine for You. Lead us to the places of darkness so that we can share Your love and light with all who live in darkness that we might bring them to You. In Jesus name we pray!
“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.”