Let the Light Shine

 

I got a flashlight out of the drawer a little while ago. We hardly ever use it anymore because we can just use the flashlight in our phones. The flashlight didn’t work so I opened it up and found that the batteries had corroded.

 

Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world…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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). If we are bringing God’s light to those around us, we can always be recharged. If we keep the light to ourselves, we can over time become “corroded” and no longer useful.

 

Being a witness for God is not something a Christian gets extra bonus points for. It is a responsibility, part of the work that God has for us to do on this earth.  First and foremost, we should witness to those around us by the way we go about our everyday lives. If our lives are not a witness for God, our words will be meaningless to others and perhaps even counterproductive.  Paul advises us, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6).

 

The world has become an increasingly dark place. The specter of sin hangs like a pall in the air. We are called to bring the light of God into the world to dispel the darkness.  It may seem that our light cannot make a difference in these times. Never lose hope. Light and darkness cannot coexist – the light will always win out. Think about a candlelight service. One by one, the flame is passed on from person to person until everything is bathed in light. We may not think that the light we share has an effect but, when it is passed on, the light grows and the darkness recedes.

 

Let’s be faithful in keeping the light of God shining in the world.