12 Mar – Be the light!

We often hear the term “let your light shine”. It’s actually something Jesus said was to be the way of life, and who we are for all those who know Him. He said “you are the light of the world, so don’t put your light under a basket, but let it shine for all the world to see”.

He commanded us to let our light shine before others. He doesn’t say we “should” be the light of the world, he says we ARE the light of the world!

What good is a light that doesn’t shine? It would not serve its purpose. In the same way, hidden light is of no value. Light that fulfils its purpose must shine.

If we don’t shine, we are not fulfilling our purpose, because light has one primary purpose; to dispel darkness.

Imagine sitting in a large room with no lights on and no windows to let in natural light. We would be in pitch darkness, but if one person were to turn on a torch, everyone would see it, because the light of one small torch can dispel the darkness of an entire room.

When Jesus calls us to shine our lights, he is calling us to get rid of the darkness; to determine to light up everywhere we go with his light in us.

When we love where there is hate, we light up the darkness; when we live in hope instead of fear, we light up the darkness; when we choose to forgive instead of holding a grudge we light up the darkness. Shining our light means that we reflect the very nature of Jesus in everything we do.

Matthew 5:14- 16 in the Message version says, “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours 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.”

It’s time we went public with the light, because the world we live in definitely needs the light, hope, joy, love and the answers to the darkness they face.

But the key to continuing to shine our lights brightly is making sure we are connected to our power source. A flashlight would not work if it were missing the battery, as it would make the rest of the flashlight not useable. Simply having a bulb, a fixture and some wire does not automatically mean that a light will shine. There must be a connection to a source of power. We are the same. In order for us to shine, we must be connected to a source of power. Jesus is our source of power, and His power never runs out. Being connected to Him is the way to keep our light shining, and to get rid of the darkness around us.

Instead of complaining and commiserating about how dark, miserable and terrible the world may be at times, make a decision to stay connected to Jesus your power source. Jesus is the giver of life and He is the best way to keep our lights burning brightly. Today choose to keep connected to Him; keep in His word, and keep shining brightly for all to see.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Prayer: Lord thank you that I have everything I need in you. Help me to stay connected to you, and to let my light shine brightly, dispelling the darkness. In Jesus Name Amen.