Being the Light of the World

Read: “You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before men…” – Matthew 5:14-16

Think: I remember camping with some guys once and we only had one light. That single light was a hot commodity! In the darkness of our campground, we needed it. We depended on it. We cherished it.

Jesus said that the church is THE light of the world. We aren’t ONE of the lights of the world. We are it. The world needs the church. Throughout history the church has shone brightly in some of the darkest places on earth and during some of the darkest times.

Right now we face some seemingly dark times as well. It feels that the world keeps getting worse. But let us be encouraged that the darker the night, the brighter the light shines. The question is whether we will take up our call to shine or not. Jesus warns us against hiding our light. It is possible to be the light, yet keep it hidden.

Each day we need to wake up and remind ourselves, “I am the light. I will shine today!” We need to do what Jesus called His disciples to do in John 4:35 - “…Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are ripe for harvest.” Take notice of the harvest that is out there today. Engage people and go deeper with them. Invite them to church. Ask them what they believe about spiritual things. Offer to pray for them when they are hurting.

The church is God’s Plan A in the world. There is no Plan B. We are the light of the world. Let’s shine.

Ask: Have you been clocking out and not engaging the world around you as the light? How can you be more intentional about letting your light shine today?

Pray: Lord, you sent Your Son into this world to save sinners. I thank You that I am one who has been saved. Now You call me to be a light to sinners. Help me to see what is before me and give me boldness to live as You have called me. Amen