“You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
The darkness of our world has been incredibly apparent over the past few years. Most would agree, our world needs light now! As Christians, we have the Light of Christ living inside of us…and as those whom His Light has shined…we are called and empowered to shine His light on our hurting world.
Maybe before we seek to shine that light, we should clarify God’s light is. Well, maybe viewing it like this might help - It’s the unexplainable way we can receive hope over despair, peace over chaos, and joy over sorrow. This isn’t just some feeling or renewed sense of hope or peace, but that which ultimately comes from Christ’s sacrifice and the salvation He gives us.
You see, we have a God who loves us so much, He not only redeems us and brings us home, but He fills us with His own Spirit and power. As such, His light becomes our light. In John 1:4-5, he writes, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” God is light. Therefore, His Light is in us and it is not meant to be kept to ourselves or hidden.
Do you remember from childhood the song, “This little Gospel Light of Mine”? Well, the phrase ‘Let Your Light Shine’ implies that we have a choice. We can shine the light of Christ or not. We can be given an opportunity, but not respond to the Spirit’s prompting. Yes, we can cover God’s light, keeping it from shining forth into the world. Instead, we are to see each day as an opportunity to “Let it shine!” Yes, our world is filled with much darkness, but we have the One who is the Light that can change everything!
Jesus said in Matthew 5: 14-16: “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” That my friends, is what Trinity Hope does every day, one bowl at a time, one child, one life! And with everyone, the Light of Christ shines as the One who feeds the body and spirit alike!
May the Lord continue to empower each of us to serve and honor Him by daily shining His Light in word and deed in all we do!
Rejoicing in and sharing God’s amazing grace,
Pastor James Rockey