Shine That Light
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
There is a verse in the Bible we talk a lot about around Christmas, but here in the month of March it's easy to skip over. The verse? It's found in the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, and it's a prophecy talking about the coming of the Messiah.
It reads:
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined." Isaiah 9:2
This verse isn't just a foretelling of the coming Saviour, but it can serve as a reminder of what has happened in my life and yours since coming to know Christ. We were taken out of the darkness and into the light. It was like we were once walking around in a pitch black room, feeling our way around and feeling quite alone, only to have someone walk in, flip on the light switch and promise to never leave our side.
Light of the World
In the book of John, chapter twelve, Jesus said:
"Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." John 12:44-46
You and I don't walk in the darkness any longer, but sometimes while we are enjoying our life in the light, it's easy to overlook the fact that so many people around us are still walking in darkness. They are as we once were before we came to know Jesus. I don't know about you, but I would never want to go back to those days. The hopelessness, fear, pain, destruction, depression, the list goes on and on. Living in the darkness is no place for anyone to reside and if we want to see others brought out of the darkness, then we must take our responsibility to shine our lights seriously. It's easy to shy away from this responsibility and fill our lives with having a grand time with only other believers, but if we do that, we are not only holding back the greatest gift we could ever pass on, but we are also not living our lives the way Jesus commands us to. The Bible makes it clear that every single person who follows Him has the responsibility to not hide their light from the world, but shine it for all to see. And if we hide behind church doors with our light, no one from the outside will ever see it. A person choosing to shine their bright light in this dark world is how you and I came to know about Jesus and it's the way others can come to know Him too.
Instruction To Shine
As Jesus said,
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
So let's shine.
When we speak, let our words be filled with compassion and hope, not shying away from pointing people to Jesus.
When we act, let us act with the love and grace Jesus has shown us. Choosing to be kind, compassionate and loving towards every single person we come into contact with, recognizing that every single person we meet is someone who God created and who He loves.
When we choose who to invite to church or who to spend our time with, let us choose the least of these. Whether that's the homeless, those with addictions, the sick, the disabled, the imprisoned. Knowing that if Jesus leaves the 99 to find the 1 who is lost, the least we can do is not shun any lost sheep.
When we get opportunities to connect with people, let us never hold back the truth of the gospel and the Good News that is found in Jesus, the light of the world. Let us share our stories with honesty and humbleness, showing others the kind of transformation Christ can do in a life.
The World Is Dark, But Christ Is Light
The world is dark, but Christ is light and just like He flipped on the switch in my life and yours, so does He want to use us to bring that same kind of illumination to the people all around us. So let's do it!
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