You Are The Light Of The World

Oh, my goodness, the easiest thing to do these days, is to become anxious, overwhelmed and upset.  There are terrible things happening and many are losing hope.  Some have none at all, but is that where the sons and daughter of the most thigh God are to reside?  Aren’t we called to be the salt and the light of the world?  What does that really mean?  Let’s look at the Message translation.

Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG) Let me tell you why you are here.  You’re to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.  If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?  You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.  Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.  God is not a secret to be kept.  We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.  If I make you light bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?  I’m putting you on a light stand.  Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine!  Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

As Christians, we have one foot (so to speak), in the heavenly realm, and one on the earth.  This requires us to stop and assess all situations. Therefore, we can be sucked into the chaos and confusion of the world.  We must stop and say, “No, I am able to rise above all this mentally and emotionally because I can call on Jesus, He is my strength.” Look up Psalm 121.

So how do we calm ourselves and bring peace into a chaotic, hopeless world?  I go back to the verse in Proverbs.

Proverbs 18:21 NIV The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

What we speak changes the atmosphere around us.  It changes us; it can bring peace and the must needed reassurance of God’s love to others. How?  We open our mouths and speak life affirming, calming, positive words.  When in a state of anxiety or chaos say, “Peace be still!”  Pray, “Lord, take control of this situation and bring peace and order to it.”

We, as Christians, are called to be the light of the world.   Many shy away from it.  It is the true test of what we believe and how much we care for our fellow travelers in this world.  God knows our heart and He sees what we do.  Like the old song, This little light of mine.  We have to make the choice and say like the song, “Hide it under a bushel NO, I’m going to let it shine.”

Here’s the hot skillet that burnt me one day.  James 4:17 NIV Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. This verse really got my attention a few years back and it stuck.  Doing nothing is sin folks.  Hiding the light, the goodness of God and keeping it to our self, is a sin.  Well, that verse will need to brew in your mind for a while, like it did mine. 

The fact is, we need the light of Christ in the world.  It’s getting darker every day.  People need the love of the Father displayed through His children to those that never see it.  So, shine, shine, shine, and don’t hide.  With the Father’s help, we can be all we were created to be and more. I know it!

Prayer

Lord, make us bold people who shine for you daily.  May we bring a positive, calming and loving effect to this world.  May they see and hear in us something different, something good.  Lord, we know some people never hear a caring word or see kindness in action.  Some people are never really loved.  Give us opportunities to be the light of the world. Thank you for your calming Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

God Bless

Sally