Shine the light

A few days ago at church, a question was posed that has since been ringing in my ears.  It was not from my pastor but rather from a gentleman who was allotted a few minutes in the service because he is involved in our local outreach ministry.  The question was simply: “How are you going to let your light shine today?”

The person didn’t quote this passage, but I’m reminded of Matthew 5.  Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.  A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (verses 14-16).  You may think that this concept is only limited to doing something big like sharing your faith with someone.  While that certainly applies to this idea, there are other examples.  Let me list a few that come to mind.

We can let our light shine by selflessly serving others when we desperately want to be served.  We can shine our light by living a life of integrity and Christ-likeness.  Here’s one that may surprise you: we can shine our light by doing our very best at our jobs.  You say, "You've lost me."  Well, if people know you are a Christian, and you’re always slacking off, this doesn’t represent Christ very well.  We should do our very best on the job.

How about this one?  For those of you gentlemen that are married, you can let your light shine by loving your wife as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25).  You are to die for your wife if you have to, but the more likely scenario is for you to die to your wants and desires, and instead serve her and meet her needs.

To sum it up, my heart’s desire is to let my light shine. I desire to simply point others to the greatness of God, not to the greatness of Kevin Bauer (because honestly, I am not great).  The way I look at it, a day that I choose not to shine the light – to “put the lamp under a bowl” as Jesus put it – is a squandered day and opportunity.

“How are you going to let your light shine today?”

Kevin