Let's Shine Out the Light
How can we reflect the light of Christ?
Dear friends,
The few past days, God has been talking to me about LIGHT. It started with a passage this week - Psalm 27:1.
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV)
Most of the translations have the same first line. Light. Salvation. And the last line has many words from stronghold, fortress, defence of my life, refuge, and strength of my life.
But my focus today is on light
The first message came from a former minister - Salt and Light.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. (Matthew 5:14-16, NRSV, Anglicised)
We all know Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”
Jesus is defining who we are when He says, “Let your light shine before others.” We are new creations in Christ, filled with His light. We then reflect His light to others.
Jesus is the light
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV)
We want others to see this light. If we have put off our former selves (Ephesians 4:22 - 23) and taken a new self filled with light, then we can shine this light into the world.
Let’s shine out the light.
Two Great Songs
This Little Light of Mine - Rocked up a Bit - Jesus is the Light. Scroll to 8 minutes 15 seconds.
Jesus Bids Us Shine - Scroll to 20 minutes.
Another message
Then God sent me to another message, on Light - same passage. This time the pastor gave examples of those who shine God’s light. He talked about William Wilberforce from Britain who started abolition bills in 1790. In 1833, the final abolition bill was passed.
He not only enacted a new law but changed minds and hearts. He was shining the Light of Jesus into a dark world.
In a pitch black room, even a 15 watt bulb will shed light. (from the pastor)
In the 1790s, prostitution was rampant. By the 1890s, there was a big change - charities were started, orphanages opened - a Victorian age began. This was begun not only by those in power but by the common people. I think that’s important to note.
What does that mean for us?
Then I read a post by Christy Lynne Wood who talked about what is happening now. I found it fascinating to read. You can find it here.
Darkness exists in our world. We need LIGHT to shine into it.
That is the responsibility of every believer - old and young.
Is all that is happening today to expose the evil - Epstein files, pastors being charged with sexual abuses, fake news, and anger?
Maybe this is happening because God is shining Light into our world of darkness and revealing it to us!
How can we help?
First of all, we are never too old or young to shine His light. Those who are retired and say that they are too old, too sick and too tired to do anything are not living in God’s strength but their own. Those who just want to relax and play for the rest of their days are forgetting that God can give them a purpose yet.
Recycling, repositioning, yes. But we can never retire from being fruitful in life and making a lasting difference. ~ Ed Hird
Questions for you
Is God putting something on your heart that you need to do?
Do you feel called to do something but not sure what it is?
Are you getting a nudge to do something but you are afraid to try?
May I pray for you and me?
Heavenly Father, you tell us to shine Your light. We are not to hide it under a bushel. We are to be the Light of the world. We ask You to show us how we can do this. Open doors. Inspire us. Help us change the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I wrote a Bible study based on Ed Hird’s book Battle for the Soul of Canada. (The stories may be Canadian but anyone can read and be inspired how to carry His light into the world). It is called Companion Study to Ed Hird’s Battle for the Soul of Canada.
Jesus is the Light of the world, and He calls each of us to shine His light wherever there is need. Throughout this study, short excerpts highlight ordinary people who recognized a need and chose to act, allowing Christ’s light to shine through their words and deeds.
As we follow Jesus, we too are invited to carry His light into our homes, communities, and nation.
I just republished it so it may not show up right away in Canada.
Thanks, Jan, I have been conscious and conscientious about being a light for most of my life. (My two names…Ruth Lucile…mean compassionate bringer of light, and my nickname growing up was “Sunbeam”) Our world is dark, but “the Light of the world” is bright and shines through us.