“You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
This world is so dark. I didn't really come to realize this until my sophomore year of high school when some high school boys gunned down their fellow students and teachers during a school day -- it was to be the first of many school shootings to follow (that's dark). And the reason they did it was because they were bullied at school and felt completely alone in the world (that's dark). Then, in the library, after they had slain so many others, they ended it all by slaying themselves (that's dark.) Our nation was dumb-founded by this tragedy, and yet, in the midst of it all, I also learned what a light we, as followers of Jesus Christ, can be. Yet, in the midst of this darkness, a story came out which shone light: Rachel Scott, a known Christian, had been shot in the leg. One gunman came over and asked her if she still believed in God. "You know I do," she answered, after which she was fatally shot in the head. It had been a while since America had heard of such a martyr, and her story spread like wildfire.
We are the light of the world. We are to shine light, Christ, into the darkness of this planet. When we become followers of Jesus, we are committing to be this light, and there is placed on us, according to scripture, an expectation that we will shine.
In John 9:5, Jesus said, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." But He no longer walks on this earth, and the job is now left to us. Just as light is the opposite of darkness, we are called to behave, think, speak, and hope in the opposite ways of the world. We are to give light (Christ) to everyone this passage says! Our families, co-workers, neighbors, and strangers are to notice a difference in us because of the transformation Christ has done in our hearts and the hope we now have in Jesus. And it does say 'everyone'. I know you're thinking of that one person who just drives you nuts, but the Lord can give you what you need to be light in their world, too.
It is so easy for us to become passive, just living out each day with the intention to get home and get in front of the T.V., like much of our society. But when we flip on the auto-pilot attitude, satan has won. He has deceived us into thinking that who we are in Christ and what we know about Christ doesn't really matter all that much. Trust me, I'm not saying this is an easy calling! But what I'm learning is that being a light makes a difference to the people I am around, and it makes a difference in my life as I see God using me to work out His purposes in the lives of the people around me. It is so exciting!
What does this look like for us? May we not hide our lights by being quiet when we should speak, going along with the crowd, denying The Light (Christ), letting sin dim our light, not explaining our light to those around us, or ignoring the needs of others. We are the ones who shine the spotlight on Jesus -- its all about Him. We do the work, give the care, pray the prayers, take the food, smile the smiles, visit the broken, and share the gospel, and then we leave the results to Him.
The people in your life need you to do this for them. They are looking for some light in a dark world and finding a false light in all the wrong places. But Jesus is saying to you today, "You are the light of world. Show them who I am."
Why could Rachel Scott answer, "You know I do" to the gunman? Because even before her death, she was a light to people around her. Everyone knew who she served because of her words and actions. Wherever you go today, with whomever you encounter, let them see a light in you. And may you point them to The Light, Himself.
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