Let Your Light Shine
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, 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 in heaven.”
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As a young boy, our son Brian was very perceptive. When he was just four years old, we attended a function in the sanctuary of a neighborhood church on a bright and sunny day. The church was noted for its beautiful stained-glass windows.
Brian was curious. He asked about them. He wanted to know how they were made and of what material.
He marveled at the rich colors, the intricate patterns, and the biblical stories portrayed. It was a delight to see him so fascinated with the beauty of the windows.
Later that same year we found ourselves once again inside that same church sanctuary but this time it was at night. Brian was disheartened.
The windows had lost their magical effect on him. He could still make out the patterns and the stories but, with no illumination from the outside, the windows had lost their luster – they were dark and plain.
Yet when we exited the church that evening and saw those same windows from the outside... WOW! What a beautiful sight! The light and colors and patterns of the windows were on full display.
Brian smiled a big smile. I did, too. It was lovely. The church glowed with warmth and radiance. The light from within made all the difference.
“I explained to Brian that when the followers of Christ have his light on the inside, we are to share it with the darkened world outside. ”
I explained to Brian that when the followers of Christ have his light on the inside, we are to share it with the darkened world outside. That’s what the church was doing through its stained-glass windows. That’s what we are to do as well. He liked that.
As Christians, we are to show the world what it is to have the Savior living in and through us.
Jesus encouraged his followers to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
It is sometimes easy to let the light of Christ darken in our lives. We get too busy with other things, we get discouraged, we are overly critical, or we become apathetic to spiritual matters.
It shows up when we get short-tempered in a business dealing, or fuss inappropriately at the cashier in the checkout line. Perhaps we venture back into old habits that rob us of our joy.
As a result, Christ’s light dims and the people around us do not experience the warmth and glow of his light shining through.
We let Christ’s light shine through us when the fruit of the Spirit is evident and abundant in our lives: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
With Christ’s light shining through we are more caring and compassionate toward others; we give them the benefit of the doubt. Further, we become less critical, less opinionated, humbler, and more understanding.
Let’s let the light of Christ shine through our lives so that all “may see (our) good works and give glory to (our) Father in heaven.”
Mark Green
Pastor for Senior Adults & Youth and Children’s Music