In the Gospel according to Matthew, we hear Jesus commanding us to be in ministry with Him: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-16).
God is counting on us, but as soon as He put us in a perfect world, Adam made a boo-boo. God let us bounce around for another stretch to see if we could straighten ourselves out, but we got worse. He sent us His Son so that we could get His message first hand and we killed the messenger. Fortunately, God decided to forgive us our sins in the name of Jesus and offered eternal life to those who would turn to Him.
Through the life and sacrifice of Jesus, God recruited people to help keep His message going. Through the faithful, we have received it in our time. It made it because those who came before us “let [their] light shine before others.” Good works are always appreciated and they lead to giving glory to God. Many of us must let our light shine before others if God’s message is to be perpetuated. How is your light doing?
Have you been hiding your light under a bushel basket? Do you think that the other person will take care of that “light in the world” stuff? Are you a little shy for God?
Each and every one of us has the potential to help someone to the Lord. We can have a power in us that has nothing to do with what the world perceives as power. It is the power of God. It is a power of wisdom and love. It calms the center of the storm. It comforts pain. It gives life its real purpose.
Father God, Please take away my bushel basket. I’m embarrassed to let others see my light for You. I can sometimes let it shine a little in comfortable situations, but I usually cover it up if I think that I might be ridiculed.
I have a hard time knowing whether or not others will appreciate my light. I know that I have missed many chances to be a light for someone. Father, help me to share my light and stop running from those who don’t know You. AMEN.
Robert Halsey Pine was born at Newark, Ohio in 1943. He is a graduate of Northeastern University and completed the program of Theological Education by Extention: Education for Ministry, School of Theology, the University of the South.