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: 16
Several small lights are dispersed about my apartment: plug-ins to shed a soft light for me to get around at night; decorative tiny battery operated lights that give a sense of warm ambience; the lighted numbers of the alarm clock; lights on the microwave, stove, and coffee pot; during Christmas season, the tree lights and lighted wreath at the door; the above pictured light—a small comfort light to help me thank God who created dragonflies, created me and has a plan for me. I want my light to reflect the Light of the World, our Lord Jesus Christ—a torch or a bonfire. I plan to shine, shine in the world where I live, and shine beyond my door. My plans.
God’s Plans … I may have plans to shine a brilliant reflection of the Savior into the darkness of this present age. I plan, but perhaps God laughs, saying, “I have a better plan. Hold onto your hat and see what I will do when you let Me make the plans.”
The Lord laughs at him (her), for He sees that his (her) day is coming. Psalm 37: 13 (NKJV)[i]
The big ideas for how to shine as I planned to spend my time in 2026. These plans included a lot of traveling to see places and people I miss since I have moved. Before I implemented these plans, God saw my day coming and pulled the plug on my plans. He sent me on a two day and two-night excursion to the hospital for some rest.
I wanted to blame the incident on the decadent chocolate covered cream puffs topped by whipped cream, but the medical community scoffed at my diagnosis and told me my aging body advises me to slow down a bit. I am home with and attempt to learn more humility, perhaps. (I have had a difficult time over the years learning humility.)
So … How could my light shine when I couldn’t get out and about to shine. He gave me nurses, technicians, or transport personnel who needed someone to talk to; He gave me new ways to take care of myself so I can shine His Light in better ways than I could have conceived on my own; He gave me the beam of a night-light to shine into the limited scope of my world rather than a bonfire to draw crowds from the darkness.
There is a difference between a true night light and a battery-operated decorative light. The night light is plugged into the source of power that runs my entire house, whereas the battery-operated lights die and must be replaced by another battery—an alien source of power. If my spiritual light is to remain bright in the darkness of the world, I must remain connected to the Source: God’s Holy Spirit. I maintain the light: by hearing, reading, meditating, and keeping His Word; by worshipping and fellowshipping alongside other “light bearers;” through prayer and intimate fellowship with Jesus through the Spirit; and by demonstrating God’s Spirit in me by doing good to and for others.
Funny thing about those alien sources of power: They don’t last. They are like man-made philosophies and the latest fad out there for health or wealth. They die out and must be replaced by the next latest-and-greatest idea. The true Source of power is from the Light of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13: 5. His Light shines eternally in the hearts of those for whom He died. As Christians reflect His Light together, we become a bonfire to light up the darkness of the world.
“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
Challenge: Ask yourself: “Am I connected to the Source of Light by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior?” Know what you believe and be able to share the good news with others; Live what you believe by doing good for others.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, Light of my life and the world, help me to reflect you in my day by day walk through the darkness of this world. Amen
All Scriptures taken from English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible unless otherwise indicated.
[i] New King James Version (NKJV)
[ii] https://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/previews/028/274/878/large_2x/group-of-people-holding-cigarette-lighters-and-mobile-phones-at-a-concert-crowd-of-people-silhouettes-with-their-hands-up-dark-background-smoke-spotlights-crowd-at-concert-generative-ai-photo.jpeg
