You Are the Light of the World
Campaign season in America is upon us again. Don’t you love it? It will soon dominate our news, infiltrate our conversations, and bombard us with depressing commercials. It always seems like a very dark season to me. And, in case you’ve forgotten, we’re still over a year and a half away from the actual election!
No matter which side of the political fence you fall on, every candidate has a common theme: if elected, I will make this nation a better place. I have my doubts that’s actually going to happen through people in Washington, but it did get me to thinking. Isn’t that the call on each of our lives as followers of Jesus? Shouldn’t we be the ones who are making the world around us a better place?
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 day you invited Jesus into your heart, light moved in. Your nature changed. The light of God is now part of your DNA. YOU are the light of the world.
It seems, though, we need a little clarification in our current political climate about the nature of light. Being a light doesn’t mean you spend all of your time cursing the darkness. Light overcomes darkness by shining, not yelling.
Yes, darkness needs to be exposed… but that happens when light shines. Change the broken world around you by radiating Jesus. The job doesn’t belong to politicians and world leaders. It belongs to followers of Jesus.
Let me share one last thought about Jesus’ challenge in Matthew 5. There were no light bulbs in biblical times. The primary means of light Jesus is talking about is a small oil lamp fashioned out of clay. These little lamps burned brighter when they were properly maintained. The wick needed to be trimmed and the oil supply refilled. Proper care meant brighter light.
The same applies to the spiritual life. Take care of your walk with Jesus and you will burn brighter for Him. Get in His Word each day, replace worry with prayer, worship regularly, love others well, and follow where He leads.
Shine!
-Mike Schafer
