Good Morning Friends,
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said that we were light, unfortunately too many of us do not like to share it properly. When Christ died on the cross it was as if part of him was placed in us as a light that if combined with others and focused would be a spotlight to shine into the darkness of the world. The challenge is connecting all those points so that others might see. The challenge is that too many are hoarders of light, keeping it hidden. So, Is Your Light Shining The Way Home For Others?
Scripture: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you. Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when no harm has been done to you. Do not envy the violent and do not choose any of their ways; for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous. Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor.
Proverbs 3:27-34 (NRSV)
“No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”
Luke 8:16-18 (NRSV)
In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom, and also in a written edict declared: “Thus says King Cyrus of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them! —are now permitted to go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem; and let all survivors, in whatever place they reside, be assisted by the people of their place with silver and gold, with goods and with animals, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.”
The heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred—got ready to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors aided them with silver vessels, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with valuable gifts, besides all that was freely offered.
Ezra 1:1-6 (NRSV)
“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.
Matthew 5:14–15 (NIV)
Message: Ok, is your light shining a way for others. Be honest. Are we shinning that light in us for all to see? Or are we hiding it away as a way of managing expectations. Humility is great, but the thing is that we all need to have a conversation with God about how to shine our light in the world…how to deploy our gifts. Perhaps some of us are afraid that the light might expose our own imperfections. Friends, we are to let the light of Christ in us shine so that others may see these fine works and give glory to God in whose image we are made. Our light is to be a response to God’s love in the message of Jesus…in the presence of Jesus. The key idea here is that light is to be revealed not concealed. Jesus will not be denied. But make no mistake about this point…as the light shines it exposes everything and challenges us to be blameless. Darkness cannot exist in the Light. There are no secrets here…ultimately all is revealed. Thankfully in God’s grace, here we discover that this journey is more about discovering God’s light in us than making our own. Friends, only God’s purpose is pure. Here in our creator’s purpose healing occurs. Here freedom begins. Here the light grows stronger. Here in the light, our fear is cast out by perfect love. Get ready to take your next step in the light of Christ. It is the only way home.
And So, just as the God of Israel YHWH stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to proclaim a way for the Jews to return home, so too, we are to shine forth a way for others to find a pathway to our heavenly home. Whatever Cyrus might say, and whatever other people might believe, it was because YHWH had brought about what would happen and God can and will do the same in your life. But, be guided by today’s parable as well and respond by hearing responsively and obeying demonstrably Jesus calling us to action. Because God is in us and at the same time immense beyond our imagination the divine is to shine through us pointing the way to salvation. We are to let our light shine with a focus on glorifying God.
Pray we keep the light on but not shine it in another’s eyes. Pray we shine it on the slant towards a person’s next step. Pray also that we hear and obey for there is no other way. Pray we allow the light of Christ to unlock the treasures of our earthly life so they might be shared generously. Pray we as change agents illuminate the gospel message. Pray we shine a light as a witness to the light in us so that the world might be transformed, and our own fears and demons defeated. Pray we be unified in the silent work of influence and a visible manifestation of God’s presence. Pray we Love our neighbors. Pray we Imitate Christ. Pray we Get to know others. Pray we honor Hospitality. Pray we Tell others about Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 