The Power of Light

Growing up, I heard the song “This Little Light of Mine” countless times in Sunday school. If you grew up in church, you can probably relate. For those who might not have experienced Sunday school, it’s a place where children learned about the Bible through stories, songs, and activities. Nowadays, it seems like Sunday school isn’t as common. Is that true?

Regardless, the message of that song has stayed with me. The specific verse I want to focus on today is Matthew 5:14 (ESV): “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” When I read this verse, it stood out to me so clearly. I felt empowered and convicted all at once.

Desensitization to Our Role

When you grow up in church, there are two things that often happen. One, we hear scriptures so much that we become desensitized to their power. It stops feeling like the superpower it is and more like a routine. We lose the excitement and awe of what it means to be the light of the world.

I realized that’s how I had been living my life, and I didn’t want to live that way anymore. Being the light of the world is a profound assignment. We are meant to shine brightly, bringing Jesus’ light to every corner of the earth.

Historical Context of Light

During my research, I found fascinating insights on BibleRef.com about the cultural context of light in the Jewish worldview at the time of Christ. Light was a crucial symbol, much like how freedom is valued in modern American culture. For the Hebrew culture, light represented the highest ideal.

Jesus calling us the light of the world means we are to be the top, the ones who lead the way to Him. A city on a hill, especially one with walls made of white limestone, was visible even on dim nights, reflecting the light of the moon, stars, and sun. This is what we are called to be: a beacon of light and hope in a world full of darkness.

Reflecting Jesus’ Light

Looking back, I recognize times in my life when I wasn’t living as a child of God, let alone as the light of the world. I was even someone who dimmed others’ lights to make myself feel better. Admitting this is tough, but I know I’m not alone.

Now, I strive to follow God’s will and embrace His word, allowing His light to shine through me. Jesus is the light of the world, and when we accept Him, His light lives within us. We then become a temple of light, meant to shine brightly for everyone to see.

A Change of Heart

For a long time, I took pride in the fact that people didn’t know I was a Christian. I had seen Christianity portrayed negatively and didn’t want to be associated with that. But hiding my light wasn’t the answer. Even in my disobedience, God used my actions for good. I gained empathy and insight by connecting with people who might have otherwise avoided me.

Now, I’m not saying to water down your faith. Shine your light brightly! God will use our past mistakes for our good and the good of His kingdom. Even if you’ve hidden your light, repent, seek forgiveness, and let God use your experiences to shine even brighter.

Embracing Our Light

Being the light means representing Jesus in the best way possible. We are called to be set apart, not to shame or disrespect those who don’t understand our light but to be a beacon of hope and guidance. Like a city on a hill, we are meant to be seen, to guide those in desperate need of Jesus.

I want the light of Jesus in me to be so strong that it aggravates any dark presence. Just like how Jesus’ presence alone caused demons to react, I want my light to shine so brightly that it cannot be ignored.

Let’s Shine Together

I invite you to join me in this journey of embracing our light. Let’s show up every day, shining brightly for Jesus and guiding others to Him. Let’s live authentically, letting His light reflect in all we do.

Closing Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

God, I come to you right now and I want to say thank you so much for today, Lord, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to share your word on this podcast. God, I pray that you help us to be your light. I pray that you help us to show us where we’ve been hiding your light, Lord, and where we’ve been minimizing it and where we have not been really living in our authentically Jesus filled selves, Lord.

And I just pray right now, Lord, that you just forgive us for all the times that we did do that.

Lord, the times we were ashamed of our light, the times where we wanted to minimize it, the times where we didn’t understand it, the times we were angry at it. God, I pray that you just help us to not only just repent, but actually genuinely change our behavior, Lord, and really begin to embrace that light and help it to shine even brighter.

Thank you for everything you’re doing in my life, Lord.

And also in the lives of every single reader. I pray that you just reach out on them, Lord, and just impact their lives and just move in such a way where they know that it’s you and they can no longer deny that is, in fact, you in their lives moving, Lord. I thank you and I praise you for all you’ve done, all you’re doing and all you will do. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen.

If you need help remembering who you are and walking in the light, you’re not alone.

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