Be Light! Shine!
Be Light! Shine!
Be Light! Shine!
Be Light! Shine!
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light." - Luke 11:33
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light." - Luke 11:33
Everyone needs light. We look forward to extended daylight hours during the summer months. We are attracted to bright places. Just like plants, people require light to be healthy and grow. Research has shown that additional light increases productivity and human flourishing. All over the world, office buildings, schools, hospitals and homes are being designed to use more natural light. The quality of light bulbs, the brightness of screens, and reflective materials all continue to improve. Darkness is disorienting. Light provides clarity.
Jesus talks a lot about light. He says, We were made for the light and we were made to be light to others. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
The Source
Jesus is the true light and the source of all human existence (John 1:4). The source of light and life came into the world so people would believe and respond to Him. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). To everyone who receives the light they have the right to become children of God (John 1:12). This is the ultimate prize of life!
The Darkness
Yet, even though Jesus came to His own people, He was rejected. Many of His own people–the Jewish people He first spoke to–rejected Him. God’s word tells us those who have rejected Jesus preferred the darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil (John 3:19). Those who do evil hate the light because they fear the light will expose their evil deeds (John 3:20).
We live in a dark time now, too. Today, we live and work in a culture where greed is rewarded, sexuality is distorted, lust is celebrated, partisan politics are defended, care for neighbors is trumped by self protection, human life is disregarded, and truth is thwarted. Yet, light shines in the darkness.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Yes, light is the key to solving racism, greed, sexual deprivaty, selfishness and a low view of human life. Jesus is the light that leads to the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) that God intends us to have.
Be Light
Just as the brightest moon reflects the sun at night, we as humans are made to reflect the light of Jesus in the darkest places. Jesus tells us how to do this in the Matthew verses quoted above.
- You are the light of the world. - Don’t forget who you are, who made you, that you once walked in darkness, and are now called to be light–doing the very same work Jesus did.
- A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. - You can’t hide. You are a witness wherever you go, especially at work.
- 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 others. - You should intentionally put yourself out there–in both your neighborhood and at your workplace. Show people the light and love of Christ. People are watching you. Show them who Jesus is!
- That they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - You don’t have to do it with words. You can do it by radically caring for those around you. You can take an uncommon interest in them. No matter how much darkness they are walking in, you can be the one to acknowledge them as a person with gifts and needs. You can help them put their gifts to work. You can help them with their real needs.
Dallas Willard gives three marks of children of light in his book Renovation of the Heart. “One is that whenever they are found to be in the wrong, they will never defend it—neither to themselves nor to others, much less to God. They are thankful to be found out, and they fulfill the proverb “Reprove a wise man and he will love you” (Proverbs 9:8).”
This type of vulnerability and behavior would bring bright light to any workplace. It would put on a lampstand that your assurance is with the King of Light and that your goal in the workplace is for others to see and accept the Light.
Your Savior, The Source, calls you to be light to others. Go and be light today!
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light." - Luke 11:33
Everyone needs light. We look forward to extended daylight hours during the summer months. We are attracted to bright places. Just like plants, people require light to be healthy and grow. Research has shown that additional light increases productivity and human flourishing. All over the world, office buildings, schools, hospitals and homes are being designed to use more natural light. The quality of light bulbs, the brightness of screens, and reflective materials all continue to improve. Darkness is disorienting. Light provides clarity.
Jesus talks a lot about light. He says, We were made for the light and we were made to be light to others. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
The Source
Jesus is the true light and the source of all human existence (John 1:4). The source of light and life came into the world so people would believe and respond to Him. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). To everyone who receives the light they have the right to become children of God (John 1:12). This is the ultimate prize of life!
The Darkness
Yet, even though Jesus came to His own people, He was rejected. Many of His own people–the Jewish people He first spoke to–rejected Him. God’s word tells us those who have rejected Jesus preferred the darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil (John 3:19). Those who do evil hate the light because they fear the light will expose their evil deeds (John 3:20).
We live in a dark time now, too. Today, we live and work in a culture where greed is rewarded, sexuality is distorted, lust is celebrated, partisan politics are defended, care for neighbors is trumped by self protection, human life is disregarded, and truth is thwarted. Yet, light shines in the darkness.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Yes, light is the key to solving racism, greed, sexual deprivaty, selfishness and a low view of human life. Jesus is the light that leads to the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) that God intends us to have.
Be Light
Just as the brightest moon reflects the sun at night, we as humans are made to reflect the light of Jesus in the darkest places. Jesus tells us how to do this in the Matthew verses quoted above.
- You are the light of the world. - Don’t forget who you are, who made you, that you once walked in darkness, and are now called to be light–doing the very same work Jesus did.
- A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. - You can’t hide. You are a witness wherever you go, especially at work.
- 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 others. - You should intentionally put yourself out there–in both your neighborhood and at your workplace. Show people the light and love of Christ. People are watching you. Show them who Jesus is!
- That they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - You don’t have to do it with words. You can do it by radically caring for those around you. You can take an uncommon interest in them. No matter how much darkness they are walking in, you can be the one to acknowledge them as a person with gifts and needs. You can help them put their gifts to work. You can help them with their real needs.
Dallas Willard gives three marks of children of light in his book Renovation of the Heart. “One is that whenever they are found to be in the wrong, they will never defend it—neither to themselves nor to others, much less to God. They are thankful to be found out, and they fulfill the proverb “Reprove a wise man and he will love you” (Proverbs 9:8).”
This type of vulnerability and behavior would bring bright light to any workplace. It would put on a lampstand that your assurance is with the King of Light and that your goal in the workplace is for others to see and accept the Light.
Your Savior, The Source, calls you to be light to others. Go and be light today!