Shine for Jesus

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)

Let’s take the time to shine for Jesus this week!  You never know where you will be shining a light into someone’s darkness.  Your light for Jesus may be the only thing that brightens up the office, the home, the school, the store, etc.  Shine for Jesus so that people can know the Truth and find hope in what sometimes feels like a hopeless world.  Here is a story to help put this verse into perspective…

Cleverest Son

By George Shannon

Once there lived an old man who had three sons. When he grew old and ill, he called all three sons into his room. 

“There is no way I can divide the house and farm to support all three of you. The one who proves himself the cleverest will inherit the house and farm. There is a coin on the table for each of you. The one who can buy something that will fill this room will inherit all I own.” 

The eldest son took his coin, went straight to the marketplace, and filled his wagon full of straw. The second son thought a bit longer, then also went to the marketplace, where he bought sacks and sacks of feathers. The youngest son thought and then quietly went to a little shop. He bought two small things and tucked them into his pocket. 

That night the father called them in to show what they had bought. The eldest son spread his straw about the floor, but it filled only one part of the room. The second son dumped out his sacks of feathers, but they only filled two corners of the room. Then the youngest son smiled, pulled a match and candle out of his pocket.  He lit the candle and sure enough every corner and space in the room was filled with light. 

“Yes,” said the father, “you are indeed the cleverest and have filled my room when others could not. You shall inherit my house and farm.”

Just like the last son was able to fill the room with light, so are you and I capable of filling the world we live in with the light that shines in us.  Where will you shine your light today?  You are the city on a hill. Shine for Jesus and let Him bring hope to the hopeless through you.

Lord, please help me shine brightly for Your Kingdom!  May I always bring glory to Your name.  I pray that I will cease the opportunities I have this week to point people to Jesus.  May my light shine brightly for You Lord in everything I do and say!

Shining for the Lord,