Illuminate the world so they can see Jesus
There is a fine line that differentiates between being a Christian and living for Christ and throughout out lives, we all walk on one side of that line and then the other. Jesus had crowds who followed Him, followers walked with Him, and disciples. What really sets us apart from the “crowds” is what we do with what we know, how we respond to what He has done, and who we reach with the message He has given us. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying,Β βI am the light of the world. WhoeverΒ follows me will notΒ walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
At another point Jesus said this: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.Β Neither do men light a candle and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the house.Β Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Was Jesus confused? Who is really the light, us or Him? The answer is this: As the moon reflects the sun and gives light, so you reflect Jesus and give light.Β
Your faithfulness to worship and spend time very close to God, in His presence will change you and make your reflection of His light even stronger in your life and even your behaviors will naturally change to be more like Him day by day.
You ARE the light of the world. If you don’t shine, how will anyone see in the darkness? How will they know where to look when they are lost? They need to be able to look to YOU, reflecting Jesus, and your light will show the way to Him. Remember the children’s song “This Little Light of Mine”? Hide it under a bushel, no! When you worship the Lord, you are s.h.i.n.i.n.g. friends! When you worship the Lord, you draw nearer and nearer to His Spirit and you can hear His voice better. A word in season for a stranger. An offer to pray for the co-worker who is coughing. A smile. An act of kindness. Worship emboldens you to act on behalf of God to shine for Him, as Him.
When you make a lifestyle out of worship, when it is your habit, your go-to, your natural, instinctive response or action, when you can’t live without it- you are being transformed! You glow more and more brightly to the world, the light of Jesus Christ! Now, not everyone likes the light (especially cockroaches!) and some people will squint, or shield their eyes or scamper away back to the darkness, but that’s okay! The sun’s brightness doesn’t diminish because some people avoid it. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven…” Your faithfulness to worship and spend time very close to God, in His presence will change you and make your reflection of His light even stronger in your life and even your behaviors will naturally change to be more like Him day by day. People will see this and God will have the glory!
Thought for today
When you change, everyone who knows you and how you once were will see those changes in you too. Maybe they won’t appreciate those changes. Maybe they won’t like them. Maybe they won’t like you! But because of it, they’ll either glorifyΒ God or they’ll blame Him – either way, He wins! The world, even in their hatred, is still aware of His name…boom! And of who He is because of you. Read your Bible, yes. Pray, yes. But you cannot neglect time in His presence, which very specifically is rooted in worship. Psalm 34:5 says, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.” Who cares what the world thinks? Worship the Lord and your light will shine more and more. Don’t hide the light otherwise you’re part of the problem. If you love the Lord, “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:5-7) – get into worship and then get out there and SHINE today!
