You are the light of the world. A town built 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV).
When I was younger, I remember my parents would tell my sister and me to keep a flashlight by our nightstand. We had once scattered the home looking for matches and a flashlight before so this was our way of keeping it handy in case the power ever went out.
When storms would come and temporarily knock out our power, we had a source that would illuminate our room and bring a sense of calmness.
In the same way, we as Christians are called to illuminate this dark world that we live in. Each of you has a calling to reach someone who may not know Jesus. You are called to bring light to a dark situation.
The typical lamp used in Jewish homes was very small but produced maximum illumination. Although you may feel small or inferior, you have already been granted access so that through the Holy Spirit, you can bring maximum illumination to someone’s life by drawing them closer to their Savior.
There is someone in this world waiting to be saved through your obedience. He or she may not even realize it yet but your obedience to use what God has placed in your hands will help open the heavens for them to experience God in a fresh way.
I want to encourage you to not keep your gifts or your story to yourself. Use it in a way that brings glory to God and helps bring someone to His kingdom.
Before I close, I want to leave you with the Message translation to help shed more light on this scripture.
“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. -Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG).
How will you begin to use your light to shine for someone else?