“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
Jesus put it like this, “Let your light shine.” As one of His followers, we are called to be a distinctive influence for the environment around us—primarily to shine in dark places.
Why should we shine our light? Because it’s needed. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” The point can certainly be made that Jesus is the ultimate light. However, His point here is not who the ultimate light is. His point is that He has placed you where He has to brighten up your corner of the world. He placed you strategically to shed light in your family, your work environment, and your community. He wants to do that actively through you. He is calling you to let your light shine.
Light wasn’t meant to be hidden. You can’t hide a city lit up at night. Nor does it make sense to put a blanket over a light bulb. It was meant to illuminate. To brighten up the room. To help others see more clearly. Jesus calls us to be a part of what He is doing in Berkeley County and to the ends of the earth.
How are we to do this? Jesus says, “That they may see your good works.” Later on in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus talks about giving and doing things in secret so that Your Father who sees what is done in secret might reward you (Matthew 6:1-6). Here the point is for the good works to be seen. To be visible as Las Vegas at night. But the reward and the glory is not meant for us. “…And give glory to your Father in Heaven.”
This coming week, IBC will be partnering with Black Dog Coffee and Chick-fil-A to serve all the teachers and staff in the local high schools and middle schools in Berkeley County. Our goal is not that people would glorify the individuals doing it, or IBC. The goal is that people might glorify God.
Another person put it like this, “We are indeed the light of the world, but only if our switch is turned on.” Live like Motel 6 and leave the light on. This week how will you let your light shine and brighten up the place that God has placed you?