You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
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: 14-16
Christ stands on a hill by the Sea of Galilee and delivers what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. He just finished the Beatitudes...a list of blessings for those who choose to follow the Way. I love the way Jesus taught. He has the perfect blend of encouragement and challenge in his teaching. Verses 13-16 are sometimes referred to as the Similitudes...and these two compelling comparisons have beautiful literary expression. We are to be salt and light. Salt both flavors and preserves. And light pierces through the darkness.
Have you ever noticed how little light it takes to dispel darkness? A room can be engulfed in a blanket of black and a spark of light, just a pin point, opens a way through the dark abyss. We are that light in our world darkened by sin. We may think our light is insignificantly small. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Our purpose is to shine our light.
Someone once asked me about the command to shine your light so others would see your good works. They thought the verse encouraged self service, or self glorification. To clarify, we have to remember we are not the source of the light we shine. All our good works are to point to Christ. That's why ministry must be more than humanitarian effort. Help may come from caring gestures, but no light emanates from works that simply serve to help others. While these efforts are good and kind, unless we shine the light of Christ, people may walk away with all our help and step right back into the darkness of their world. Feeding the hungry may fill stomachs, but unless we shine the LIGHT into the dismal world of the needy, they will hunger and thirst again. We may build shelters for the homeless, but unless we shine the LIGHT into their hearts, their habitats remain cold and dark.
Let your light shine...
the light inside you is the living Christ.
Shine the light of his grace-filled gospel
and truly lead others out of their darkness.
In this way, you give glory to God.
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Design Details: This simple page took minutes to design. The wreath is printed on clear, matte sticker paper and adhered to the page. The fun lettering from an alpha stamp lends color while helping to focus on the simply but powerful message of the text. The passage is highlighted with yellow watercolor paint, and with a simple page like this, the eye is drawn to the message.
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