May 8, 2016

Shine His Light

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -- Matthew 5:14-17

There are three lights on the ceiling fan where I live. The socket for one of them has a few issues. Periodically the light bulb flickers, sometimes it is completely out, and other times it shines brightly.

I’m a lot like that light bulb. Sometimes I am a dark, cloudy mess. Other times I’m struggling but still managing to get it all done. And then there are times when others can see Jesus clearly in all I do.

How about you? Do you have good days and bad? Are there times when you don’t live up to your own expectations? We’ve probably all been there.

I want to be like the Apostle Paul and be content in all circumstances. The truth is I’m not. I’m impatient more than I like to admit. I’m tired most of the time. And I’ve become the most undependable person I know. (Caregiving will do that to your life.)

Some days people will compliment me and, honestly, I just don’t see it. I see all that I do wrong and they see what I do right. I’m blessed to have wonderful friends like that, who build me up when I need it. I hope you have that same support system.

We aren’t meant to stay within ourselves, never shining out into the world. That means we have to step out and take risks, sometimes getting our feelings hurt, but always seeking to be Jesus in this hurting world.

It’s a choice. If I relied totally on those feelings, I’d hibernate. Or, at least, I’d stay surrounded by people I know and love. But that’s not what Jesus has called us to do.

If we only help ourselves, what’s that to Him? And if we only do good to those we know, how does that reflect on Him?

Sometimes we have to do good whether we feel like it or not. Sometimes we have to give someone another chance whether we want to or not. Sometimes we have to help someone who may not deserve it because we didn’t deserve what Jesus did for us.

We show the world His love when we do what is unexpected and what doesn’t always feel natural. We reach out, like Jesus did, to those the world neglects and in so doing we become His light of hope to those who need it.