“Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.”
Mother Teresa
Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Considering Light:
Immediately following the beatitudes from Jesus sermon on the mount, we are given this beautiful picture of light. I love that it follows the beatitudes because that passage to me stands out for one big reason in my mind — countercultural. The beatitudes tell us we are blessed for practically ever reason OPPOSITE why the world tells us we are blessed: poor, hungry, persecuted…those are the blessings in God’s Kingdom.
So, when he gets to this section on light, I am again left in wonder…do you mean to tell me that I am the light of the world? I am the salt of the earth? What about Jesus? Isn’t He the light of the world? Oh yes, but this is where it gets good…in Christ we are to become like Him. To become like Him we have to shine like stars in a dark world. We must carry His light into the world.
Our light can’t be hidden under basket – that means you, friend, your light can’t be hidden behind insecurity, jealousy, guilt over your past…you must put your light on a stand so that it will give light to all those around you. Don’t hide in fear, YOU have a light to shine — go forth and shine for Jesus! Are we shining ourselves? Our own accomplishments? Of course not. We shine the light of Jesus, that is what the world needs. That is what our families need. That is what we need.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have called me out of the darkness into the world to shine the light you have given me. You are this light. You give me the strength to shine, You give me the grace to out from behind my insecurities and be who You created me to be. You are the light of the world. We cannot hide Your light, Jesus. We want to let your light shine before men so that they may see WHO YOU ARE and bring glory to Your name.
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