Let us be a light
I am kinda famous…. No, I am not a Movie Star, a YouTube star (or any kind of star!) But still, I am kinda famous…
Sometimes I get “recognised” at Starbucks, the leisure centre, but most often in… Tesco. Those that know me know that I am not a fan of shopping, I am trying to go in and out as quickly as possible! But sometimes, as I come flying through the aisles, I will notice that a child is looking at me. I see them whisper to mom, or a sibling, and then they quickly turn back to me and smile.
And then I remember… I am kinda famous.
Of course I am being tongue-in-cheek, the reality is that I have the absolute privilege of going into our local schools and sharing the good news of Jesus during assemblies, helping with special events or partnering with Scripture Union. This is such an honour, and something I love to do. It means that a lot of kids see me and know me, but at Tesco when I am sprinting from the oat milk section to the bread aisle an interaction like this makes me pause…and ask, am I representing Jesus well?
The book of John identifies that the Word was God,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”
John 9:5 tells us the Jesus is the Light of the world. “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Then John 12:36 says, “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light."
As children of the light, we are now the light of the world "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14). And as the light of the world, Jesus has charged us to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
As believers we have been charged with being the light in the darkness, a city on a hill. It is so easy to talk the talk, but are we walking the walk? It is easy to stand in front of an assembly and talk about giving your worries to God, but as I am going about my day am I giving my worries to God? While I am at the leisure centre do I always exude the fruit of the spirit? “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
2 Corinthians 3:18 says “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness, from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” What comfort! As we continue to grow in the knowledge of Christ through his Word we can be thankful for the transformation that the Holy Spirit does to our hearts.
Today, let us be a people that continue to be transformed by the Holy Spirit! Let us be a light that shows our co-workers, our family, our friends, our neighbours, and strangers who Jesus is!
Lord Jesus, I pray for myself, and for all of my brothers and sisters who represent Jesus. Help us represent You well. We pause all of the activities and busyness and simply come to you. May we know you more and more each day. Attune our ear to Your speaking. Lord, may our speaking be Your speaking, may our words be Your words, and may our expression be Your expression! Help us to love everyone always. Help us to keep this uppermost in our minds: Am I representing Jesus well right now? -Amen
