Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

– Matthew 5:15-16

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls his followers (including us) “the light of the world.” In biblical times, illumination came from the sun during the day, and fire at night. Just as we can see lights before we reach a big city’s limits, travelers in biblical times found their way by the torch lights that surrounded city walls.

My husband and I live in a fairly remote area, where the sky is scattered with stars on a clear night, thanks to a lack of “city” lights. Outside of a few street lights and porch lights, it’s fairly dark here after the sun goes down. So, when our neighborhood experienced a power outage a few months ago, it was immediately obvious which of our neighbors had generators.

The same is true for us as Christians. The world is experiencing an extended “power outage,” and is growing increasingly dark. Our neighbors need to see our light. Rather than be disconnected by the sin and hopelessness around us, we need to be the generators of Christ’s light for our neighbors. Even (and maybe especially) the ones we don’t know. The good works that result from us walking in Christ’s light are not to bring us glory, but to put the spotlight on God and his amazing gift of salvation.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the light of faith you have placed in our hearts. When we’re tempted to curse the darkness of this world, please embolden us to shine before everyone around us so that You might be glorified and they might be saved.

Daily Reading: Luke 14

– Contributed by Tracy Dunn