Shine!

Shine!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV

The definition of 'light' from a few days ago needs to be repeated here: 'the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible'. It is called a natural agent, which produces or is used for obtaining specific results. It is the mean, the channel and the tool by which all things are revealed and made plain. It is also amazing that God always uses light in the context of human expression. From creation, we see the light also made manifest, and all through history, light has always been a subject close to God's heart. Why is it this important? Could it be it is the reflection of God in man, and the means by which God is known to all? How would God be identified if there was no one to bear his nature, reflect his power and wisdom, speak and act as He would, and show off the mercy and kindness of God? 

Light is of no use if it is not used and it is also of no use if it is not applied in the right way. Just as the verse before today's extract makes clear, I do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl; light must not made for such. A lighted lamp is best appreciated when it is on a lampstand, visible for all men to see, feel, and to enjoy. A lighted lamp under a bowl serves no purpose, especially when there is darkness all around. Why light the lamp, if it will end up under a bowl? Why would God invest so much of himself in me, if I will not show off his light in me? Why would God call me his own and set his affection on me, if I will not reciprocate and also declare his affection to the world around me? 

The altar of expression is my life and the world is the platform. My life must bear the mark of the light; the light would have first changed me internally, and then all who come in contact with me will know that I carry light. Light is not held, but its effect and presence cannot be ignored. In the midst of the darkness around, the message of light is quite relevant today. It is before men, not angels, that my light must shine. We want to get to heaven by being righteous and sinless, but we do not want to impact the earth. We are so focused on heaven that we forget that we hsve to first live in a way that we can draw other people to heaven by the way we live our lives. 

And I note it is both a general as well as a personal light. It is 'your light' and 'my light', because God calls me as an individual. If I am God's child, I carry his light - period. Yes, we could work as a group, but it is the combination of the lights that make us impactful. I must know and have the light for myself first, and then my light can come together with your light to change the world where we have been placed. I have the duty to make sure I shine where I am. There is no wisdom in wishing you were somewhere else; right where I am now, God wants me to represent him. How I do that will determine how the world sees God. Do I show him off, or am I one of the people of whom it is said: "And you call yourself a Christian". 

You see, not everyone will like you so you might as well dispense with the need to please everyone. I must live for the applause of only one, and that is God. He wants to be glorified in and through me, and he will be, whether I cooperate with him or not. People may question my life's pursuits and priorities, but in  the final analysis, it is not what men say that counts, but what God says. If my life is right, the light will shine and men will come to know God through me. Yes, some will mock and resist, but it will be clear that my light is shining. Is my life at the moment one that can lead to God's praise? I must watch my life from today; eternity lies at the end of all I do now. God's time of favour is here.