Light of the World

   “You are the light of the world.” (Matt 5: 14)

   Jesus said these words during the sermon on the mount.  His teachings are applicable to us today no less than when He taught the apostles over two thousand years ago.  As Christians we are to be the light of the world.

   I sometimes feel that my light is on a dimmer switch.  It seems that it shines brightly at times but less so at other times.  The cares and concerns of this world intrude and dim what should be the light of Christ shining within me.  If the light is dimmed by sin others will not see it and I am not sharing the light Jesus has given me.

   The world in which we live is full of blinds and shades that can reduce the visibility of our light to virtually nothing.  Rather than trust in God and His plan for us we allow our day to day concerns to overwhelm us, urging us to depend upon ourselves rather than asking the help of our Lord.  Pride tells us we can handle it when humility should be urging us to seek His help.  Our light can't shine though pride and selfishness.

   The light we are to share is not one of wattage but of spirit.  We can’t light up the night by the brilliance of our light, but we can help others come to the light of Christ by letting our spiritual light shine upon them through our love and caring.  Our life and the way we live it is the dimmer switch that can increase or lessen our light.  When we live as Jesus taught, others will see the light within us.  When our life is of this world we draw a shade over our light rather than sharing it.  In some cases we may even extinguish our light.

   Through prayer and trust in God we can shine brightly and perhaps bring others into the light.  By seeking God’s will for our life He will increase our light enabling us to shine more and more brightly.

“But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” (John 3: 21)

Father, the path we walk grows dark at times.

Let your light shine brightly within us.

Let us place the brightness of your light on a pedestal

That others may see your light through us.

Amen