May 27 - Matthew 5:14-16

May 27
Matthew 5:14-16

Dear Christian friend,

Matthew 5:14 -16 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

As a child in Sunday School I used to sing this song that may be familiar to you as well.

"This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine - let it shine, let it shine, let it shine." 

vs, 2 -" Shine all over the neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine (shine, shine, shine)..."
vs. 3 - "Hide it under a bushel - NO!, I'm going to let it shine (shine, shine, shine)..."
vs. 4 - "Don't let Satan blow it out, I'm going to let it shine (shine, shine, shine)..."
vs. 5 - "Let it shine till Jesus' comes, I'm going to let it shine (shine, shine, shine)..."

Those cute little words of shining our light was a reminder to me as a child that the light of Jesus within me needs to shine to those around me. Did I fully understand it - No! But it was a beginning of me learning that when Jesus lives within me, there is a light that the world sees within me, and I better watch my "P's" and "Q's" so that my light does not show my bad behavior.

As I grew into an adult - especially as an older adult, this passage of scripture (through this little song that has stayed with me all these years) took on a deeper meaning. I realized that this light within me (of the Holy Spirit) either drew or repelled people.  While it wasn't me they were either drawn or repelled to, it was the light that shown within me. Like moths drawn to the light, those who were drawn to the light within me, they were the one's I was to shine even brighter, for they were spiritually ready to to receive the light that shown within me. That means the light in me is always shining, even if I choose to sin. For when I sin, the light gets dimmer and dimmer creating a negative effect in bringing others to the same light of Jesus. As such, I've learned through the school of "hard knocks," that I need to lead a life that represents Jesus to everyone as I shine His light to those around me.

So then, Christians friends, what started out as a little light in our hearts, can we purpose to be that beacon of light that shines the light of Jesus to a dying world of those who are lost and cannot find their way? Can we shine forth Jesus bright to those in our sphere of influence? Can we purpose to shine our light as bright as we can by not allowing Satan to snuff our light dim, and then finally, can we keep shining Jesus' light bright within us till He comes back for us? That's what Jesus means "to be faithful to the end."