Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Many of us our familiar with the references to God's truth and His word being the light...and therefore if we are in Him, then we are also the light of the world. The word light, and the imagery of it (Christ's light in me and being light to a dark world) always brings about warm/fuzzy feelings for me. :)
But what if being the light is more than just feeling good because I have God in me? What if it's more than just being kind to most people most days...?
My husband and I have been blessed recently with an opportunity each day to BE the light instead of just acting like the light. What is the difference? Well for me...the realization came when some full time missionaries from our church were back visiting this past Sunday and they shared that exact challenge...
How do we move away from acting like the light - to actually being the light?
It's fairly easy to "act" like the light -- say an encouraging and uplifting thing or two -- offer to pray for someone (which we may or may not remember to do) -- comments such as "sometime let's....." or "if you need anything at all...let me know" -- remaining patient and pleasant with most everyone we encounter during the day -- maybe even sharing food or money with a homeless person. Don't get me wrong...these things aren't bad, they're good, and they're wonderful "flickers" of light to those who receive them. Most of us have the best of intentions and mean well in all of the above. But BEING the light takes a great deal more commitment and sacrifice...as we're finding out...
BEING the light involves immersing yourself.
If a light flickers briefly in a dark room, or if someone with a flashlight walks in for a few moments but ultimately leaves...the room is still dark, there may have been a glimmer of light, but nothing lasting.
In our current situation, God has put it on our heart to open our home and acreage to a man with very little.
By very little I don't just mean money although that is true in this case, but also very little joy/happiness in his life, very little family, very little ability/understanding, very little support from friends, very little acceptance from society, very little peace, very little knowledge of God/God's love for him...you get the idea.
BEING the light to this man has stretched us tremendously already. Prior to this past month, as a result of the curriculum "Radical" that we're going through in Sunday School...I've often thought "what does this look like for us God?" "What would you have us do to radically glorify you?" Not all of us are called to full time missionary work...that is true...so what can we (Justin and I) do then? It is true if you listen when God prompts, and if you're patient for Him to show you His doors of opportunity instead of barging through your own plans, agendas, routines, etc. -- He'll use you for something beautiful!
We're learning as much from our new friend as he is from us. God is using this situation to teach me a great deal of patience, and to show me what a servant's heart REALLY looks like. Evenings are about helping him complete whatever project he started that day; cooking only meals soft enough for someone with no teeth to eat; giving up couple time on the couch to go fishing; spending time helping him understand that God's forgiveness is greater than anything in his past; learning to share my space and give up our privacy; seeing firsthand that more than 3 changes of clothes and showers with indoor plumbing instead of a garden hose aren't necessities...they're merely luxuries.
My morning prayer time now consists of fervently praying for the patience needed that day, for fewer selfish tendencies in my heart, and that God might supply the right verse, and the right truth at the right time for us to share and discuss. The minute I feel tired or drained from serving in this way -- I know immediately that I'm doing it in my own strength instead of relying on God's.
Is there a point to today's post? I'm not sure! :) I know God has made his point in my own heart...and I pray more of us will see opportunities to BE the light. I've posted this song before but I'll share again as it's the tune that's humming in my own heart right now.
