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light of the world

Hello, friends! Today I wanted to write about something that has been such a prominent theme in my life the past few months! The Lord has opened so many doors in ministry for me this past summer, and I have been able to truly see how He uses us as lights to shine in places that desperately need His love and truth!

Matthew 5:14-16: “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.”

This passage in scripture is familiar to many of us, but its depth and significance continue to resonate powerfully. We are called to be the light because we have been born again in Christ, which means our minds, hearts, and actions have been transformed to reflect who Jesus is. We walk differently because we walk with Jesus. We respond to life’s stresses and challenges with peace, knowing that God is working for His glory and our good. We hold onto joy even in the midst of chaos because our joy is not dependent on our circumstances but in our Savior.

This transformation we undergo makes us distinct – we no longer look, act, or react as the world does. But this distinction isn’t meant to isolate us; it’s meant to illuminate the path for others. In verse 16, Jesus commands us to “let your light shine before others.” This is not a passive suggestion, but an active command. Jesus expresses to us that when we continue our walk with Him, His character begins to shine through us and onto other people. When we step into a room filled with darkness, His light within us has the power to dispel it.

When a single light enters a dark room, it doesn’t just exist in the space, it changes the environment. We are not called to remain in a capsule until we reach Heaven; we are called to make fishers of men, to be a source of light that transforms the atmosphere wherever we go. Our words, actions, and even our presence can bring hope, peace, and clarity to those struggling to find their way.

However, to light up a dark room, you need two things: 1) light, and 2) darkness. When I began my walk with Jesus, I thought sharing who Jesus was to my friends at church was fulfilling this command. And while He delights in faith-filled conversations among believers, the truth is that the room was already brightened. When we gather for church on Sunday, we are surrounded by light. But it’s when we step outside of the church doors that we begin truly lighting up the darkness. My pastor said it like this, “From Monday through Saturday, we can do so much more for the Kingdom of Heaven than we can in a service on a Sunday.”

This statement doesn’t diminish the importance of church and Christian community – both are vital for our growth and encouragement. But just as Jesus said in Mark 2:17, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” When you add light to a bright room, it doesn’t change the environment, it just makes it brighter. But when light enters darkness, it changes everything.

I was reminded of this at Passion Conference this year. One of the speakers said it like this… Imagine the apostle Paul came to earth now, in 2024. He notices you have a phone, and when he finds out social media exists, he gets excited and asks, “It took me months to get those letters out to people so I could share who Jesus was! How many people have you talked to about who Jesus is via social media?”

This isn’t meant to make us feel guilty. As Christians, the most powerful way to share Jesus’ character is by living like He did. This was said to gain some new perspective. We have incredible tools at our disposal to spread the gospel in ways Paul could only dream of. Imagine the impact we could have if we used these tools with the same passion and urgency that Paul had.

In Romans 1:16, Paul declares “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Paul boldly states his unashamed faith in the gospel, recognizing it as the power of God that leads to salvation.

I mentioned in previous posts that I used to participate in religion without truly knowing Jesus. Growing up, I was embarrassed to talk about Him. The only times He was mentioned were in religion class or church. I wanted to know more about Him, but I felt ashamed to ask. But now that I have left behind empty religion and begun cultivating a genuine relationship with Him, it is my delight to share who He is – especially to those who do not know Him.

Sharing Jesus with the world isn’t always easy. It can be intimidating to step out of our comfort zones, especially in today’s culture that often views faith as a private matter. We may fear rejection, misunderstanding, or even ridicule. But the reality is that the world is filled with people who are searching for hope, purpose, and love. And as carriers of the light of Jesus, we have this incredible opportunity to point them to the source of all hope and love.

I have found that one of the most impactful ways to share Jesus is through our everyday lives. It’s in the small, seemingly insignificant moments where our light can shine the brightest. It’s in the way we treat others with kindness, extend grace when it’s undeserved, and choosing to love when it’s difficult. John 13:35 is a verse that I cling to daily: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 wraps this theme up perfectly: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” We are called to share who Jesus is, but we are not called to save them or force a relationship onto them. Jesus never forced those who rejected Him to follow.

He tells us in Matthew 10:14, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” Shaking the dust off your feet is symbolic, signifying that we are not responsible for those who refuse to listen, and we move on without bearing the burden of rejection. We are able to move on with peace, knowing we have done our part in planting a seed.

The youth pastor at my church shares this story with the students, and it moves me every time – she felt the Lord speak to her to tell a young girl at a coffee shop that Jesus loves her. She did, and the girl completely rejected her. A few years later, they ran into each other again, and the girl came up to her and told her that she changed her life that day. The girl that once rejected Jesus is now living for Him. My friend/youth pastor planted the seed, but God gave the growth.

I encourage us to move in boldness into the dark places of the world without the fear of rejection. There are so many people in need of hope, and we can point them to the Supplier. So many people in need of help, and we can point them to the Provider. So many people in need of love, and we can point them to the God of love.

Thank you for reading today friend!