Let Your Light So Shine!

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

We are often talking to our kids about being a light in this dark world. We remind them that they are not going to win the world for Jesus looking like everyone else. How is this done? It sounds like a good idea up until the point at which you have to make the uncomfortable decision to go against the flow. 

A student sitting at lunch in a crowded cafeteria, with their bible open, reading…let your light so shine

A mother struggling with her screaming toddler at a store, a passerby helps her load her groceries on the belt while she calms her child… let your light so shine

Salvation Army bell ringer faithfully ringing the bell during a snow storm, a young man buys and delivers a cup of hot cocoa to them…let your light so shine

When you see a visitor or a loner come in to church on Sunday, greeting them, offer to sit together or show them around…yes even inside the church walls…let your light so shine

An elderly neighbor is alone, the mailman gets out of his car to go inside to say hello and show he cares…let your light so shine

In a group of women, someone starts to talk about someone behind their back, you join the conversation to say that you sure are glad Jesus died for her sins just like he died for all of ours…let your light so shine

Someone in your neighborhood is the last to take care of their leaves, you gather some friends and finish it for them…let your light so shine

While channel surfing, you opt for something other than your usual fare because it just doesn’t seem God-honoring anymore…let your light so shine

A teen choir visits an old folks home to cheer them up with Christmas carols…let your light so shine

An elderly woman has been widowed and you send a card once a month or stop by to have a cup of tea and chat…let your light so shine

Someone in your church has surgery, you show up to pray with them before surgery or visit them at home afterwards…regularly until they are healed…let your light so shine

A group of friends sharing a joke or men talking vulgarly about a woman that is clearly not God-honoring and clean; you don’t laugh along or participate and you leave the conversation…. Let your light so shine

You and your husband have had equally rough days, instead of “blasting” him with your complaints when he walks in, you selflessly put your frustrations aside and ask him about his day and comfort him….let your light so shine

Choosing not to argue in front of your children and have a united stand together….let your light so shine

There are so many other examples of how we stand out as lights in a dark world. Personally I notice it most when someone chooses meekness over self-promotion or shouting their convictions at the top of their lungs.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, set such an example for us. If you read through any of the gospels (I like the book of John) you can see the account of Jesus’ life and how He lived. He is our bench mark that we are to emulate.

John 8:12- “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

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