Pastor’s Corner: “Light Bearers”
Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG) – 14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
I recently read a story that I heard about Benjamin Franklin. Franklin had decided that lighting the streets of Philadelphia at night would add both beauty and increased safety to his city. Instead of embarking on a campaign of speeches and writing to persuade the other citizens, Franklin himself bought a large and beautiful lantern and mounted it on a long bracket in front of his home. He kept the glass clean and sparkling, and each evening at dusk he faithfully lit the lantern. Soon his neighbors began to take notice, and they began maintaining their own lanterns at their residence. Like wildfire, the trend spread throughout the city, and it eventually became a city-wide, city-sponsored program. As the story is told, Benjamin Franklin influenced the entire city of Philadelphia without a word. He simply began to enact change in his own sphere and spread light to all those around him.
As Christians, all we have to do is look around our world and see the darkness, confusion, pain and wickedness all around us. One hour of news is enough to leave the bravest heart running for cover. Stories of child abuse, murder, the spread of deadly disease, starvation, extreme poverty, the heart-break of war and the evil of man swirl around us leaving a trail of hopelessness. The truth is that we live in a hard world where bad things happen to good people and bad people alike. It’s often a frightening and confusing place.
But there’s another truth that we must not overlook. GOD IS SOVEREIGN. Those three words bring hope and comfort to our souls. God is sovereign, and He calls His people to bring His light into the world. I may not be able to change tomorrow’s news, but I can be a bearer of God’s light to those around me. I can make sure that my family’s Bible is well used and that my children know about His love for them. I can share His hope and pray with neighbors that are hurting. I can behave ethically in the workplace. I can serve in my church and community and share my time with others. I John 1:5b says, “…God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
If we are walking with Him, He fills our lives with light that shines on those around us. By our words and actions, we are called to bring Light into a very dark world. Let’s resolve to be Light-bearers to those in our sphere this week and pray that the Light will continue to spread in our community. God desires to shine the light of his love through you today in powerful ways. He longs to reveal to others how deeply he has loved you in his grace. Matthew 5:16 (NIV) – 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
I’m grateful that the Holy Spirit can take my 5 watt bulb and make it into a searchlight for Jesus, discerning good from evil and acting with faith in times of darkness, trouble, and stress. And the darker it gets, the more a very small, tiny light can shine beautifully to be seen by all in that darkness. Dear Lord, even though we live in a dark world, help us to focus on Your light. As we fix our eyes on You, make us transparent so that Your light can shine through us into the darkness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton