SHINING YOUR LIGHT
- Key Verse
- "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
You are to have a positive and lasting impression on others . . . one that would encourage and "light the way" for people to know or have a deeper relationship with the Lord.
Reflections
When I read Matthew 5:16, I immediately feel convicted. There's always more we can do to glorify God. He isn't necessarily saying to drop everything and move to Africa as a missionary to help translate Bibles. Shining your light can be played out in whatever way God leads you.I go to a Christian school, but that doesn't guarantee that everyone there is a Christian. Many have heard of Him, but they may not know Him. Being in that situation can be challenging at times because there is an expectation that everyone will behave in a way that will glorify Him, but they don't always. You can say "no" to gossiping, questionable movies, etc., but you're still judged and sometimes persecuted for those decisions.
When you truly shine your light for Christ, the ridicule, exclusion, and hurt you suffer from the outcomes of those decisions won't hurt as much. Jesus never said it was going to be easy, but in shining your light for God, you could unknowingly be helping someone else come to know Jesus as Savior. When others ask, "Why does she act so differently?" "How is he so strong after losing his dad?" Those questions could potentially lead to a life-saving discussion with someone hurting.
By shining your light even when it's difficult, you make those hard--but right--decisions. You sit with the "weird" girl at lunch, you write an encouraging note to someone whom you know is in a tough spot, you control your tongue when you're in an argument with a sibling.
The disciples are great examples of "Light-Shiners." They were put through so many tough situations, and they continued to preach the Word. While Paul was in jail, he constantly wrote letters to the churches he had visited or wished to visit, showing them how Jesus' death made them right with God and how Jesus would help them live a good life. If we could all have that kind of courage and perseverance, we could accomplish so much!
Discussion Questions
1. In what area of your life is God calling you to "shine your light"?2. How have you experienced someone else shining their light?
3. Is there someone specific you feel called to minister to?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you do your good deeds for your own glory or God’s glory?
2. How does God’s light shine through you?
3. What can your family do this week that shines for God’s glory? (Look for someone to help or something to do in your neighborhood.)
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.
niki lowrey
January 13, 2010 06:48 AM
this is one of my favorite passages of scripture. i am encouraged by your light. you are so right when you say we can accomplish much with courage and perseverance that only God can give in tough situations. i know (mainly from your aunt christi) that your light shines brightly and impacts others to know our Savior. thanks becca!
Jan
January 13, 2010 09:09 AM
Thanks, Becca, for some simple ways to shine my light, and the encouragement to shine it when it isn't popular. And even when we may not see the results, but we just trust that the Lord will use it to help maybe just that one person He is trying to reach.
Julie & sarahbeth
January 13, 2010 09:14 AM
Thanks for not only writing about this but living it out in your life daily and setting an example for your peers! We love you!
jo tiller
January 13, 2010 09:15 AM
good morning bekka....your light is shining brightly through the wisdom your wrote in today's devotional! i am inspired by your practical applications "to sit with the weird girl,or write and encouraging note"...thank you for meaningful message .
Rob Thomas
January 13, 2010 09:29 AM
Thanks Becca... so amazing to see what God has done in your life since you were that cute little girl... And thanks for talking about the importance of loving the 'weird girl' at the lunch table. That was Braun Brown's nickname in high school.
Kirk McJunkin
January 13, 2010 09:46 AM
Great job Becca! I know it took a lot of courage to write some of the insights into our world. Your words encouraged me this morning. I needed to hear the reminder of how my life should be salt and light.
Kirk McJunkin
January 13, 2010 09:46 AM
Great job Becca! I know it took a lot of courage to write some of the insights into our world. Your words encouraged me this morning. I needed to hear the reminder of how my life should be salt and light.
Marni
January 13, 2010 09:56 AM
Becca, I'm encouraged by your words and the way that you are a light to those at your school. Sometimes "being a light for Christ" can seem like a daunting task, which is why I appreciate the examples you gave of interacting with those that have been outcasted, encouraging someone with a note, and controlling your tongue in an argument. With concrete examples like these, the calling isn't quite as intimidating. It's all about taking small steps toward bringing glory to God. Thanks, Becca!
Dr. Mary Lynn Dodson
January 13, 2010 11:46 AM
Becka, I teach college--literature courses, and another semester begins! Your comment reminded me to let my light shine "carefully"--Christ tells us to be "wise as serpents." So, although blatantly pushing my faith in my classes is not acceptable, I can let my light shine by the works I choose for my students to read; because this country was founded on Judeo-Christian teachings, so many of them reflect basic Biblical truths. And, I'm also going to try to be more patient with my increasngly weak students. Thanks for the reminder to shine wherever we are. Dr. Dodson
Chris Stout
January 13, 2010 01:04 PM
WOW, what wisdom at your age. Becca, its not always easy being salt and light, it does not get any easier as you age, but with your foundation and faith, your will be a blessing to the Kingdom.
Will
January 13, 2010 05:46 PM
Becca, preach it! Thanks for the wonderful reminder - needed at all stages and ages of life - may I be a 'Light Shiner' to all those - my wife, kids at home, coworkers, the barista at Starbucks, the disenfranchised, and fellow laborers in Christ. Also, from this verse - thanks be to Jesus for fulfilling the perfect law of God - making us perfect in God's sight and thus making away to heaven!