Have you ever found the perfect fishing spot or thrift store and wanted to keep it all to yourself? We often hesitate to share good things in life, fearing we might lose out. But what about our faith? Should we keep that hidden too?
Let's dive into what it means to let our light shine in today's world.
The Power of Light
Jesus used a simple object lesson to convey a profound truth. In Luke 8:16-17, He says:
"No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house."
Picture a small clay lamp from Jesus' time - not much bigger than your hand. It took effort to fill with oil, light the wick, and maintain. Why go through all that trouble just to hide it?
Jesus is making a clear point: light has a purpose. It's meant to illuminate, to push back darkness. And here's the kicker - light always wins. No matter how dark a room, even a tiny flame makes a difference.
Christ, Our Light
This imagery becomes even more powerful when we remember Jesus' words in John 8:12:
"I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
Jesus isn't just talking about lamps - He's talking about Himself. And by extension, He's talking about us as His followers. We carry His light within us. The question is: are we letting it shine?
The Private Faith Problem
Unfortunately, many of us struggle with this. A recent study found that 56% of U.S. Christian adults view their spiritual lives as entirely private. But here's the thing - our faith should be personal, not private. When we keep it to ourselves, we lose the power of the gospel in our lives and miss opportunities to illuminate the world around us.
Practical Steps to Shine
So how do we change this? How do we, as teachers, doctors, students, or retirees, live out our faith more openly? Here are two practical steps:
1. Prioritize Your Faith
We spend about 90% of our lives on mundane tasks. It's easy for our faith to get lost in the shuffle. Take a hard look at your calendar. Are you making time to "fill your lamp with oil" through prayer, study, and worship? This week, check out our church website and sign up for an event or group to help nurture your faith.
2. Publicize Your Faith
This doesn't mean being weird or pushy. It's about letting your light shine naturally. Watch your words, invite people to church events (like our upcoming Easter services!), or consider a public declaration of faith through baptism. Small actions can make a big difference.
Putting It Into Practice
Remember that children's song, "This Little Light of Mine"? It's time we took those lyrics to heart. Don't hide your light "under a bushel." Let it shine for all to see.
As we approach Easter, I challenge you to find one way to let your faith shine brighter. Invite a neighbor to our helicopter egg drop. Share your testimony with a coworker. Volunteer to serve others. Whatever you do, don't keep the light of Christ to yourself.
After all, we have the best news in the world. Why would we want to hide it?