Let it Shine!

by Justin Imel

I once knew a minister who set an extremely poor example in the small town where he preached. If he received the wrong change in a grocery store, he’d throw a fit that would make a temperamental, spoiled child look sane. If he went to the hospital and someone had parked in the lone “clergy” spot without the appropriate sticker designating the driver as a minister, he would ask everyone in the waiting room who had dared park in his spot. You can imagine the reputation he gave the church and even the reputation he gave the Father.

Jesus expects us to give his Father a great reputation through the way we live: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16; NRSV).

We don’t light our lamps to spotlight our good deeds. We don’t seek the accolades of our peers. We don’t post our good deeds on Facebook or Instagram for “likes.” We do good to shine a light away from ourselves and onto our Father in heaven.

How can we let our lights shine?

One: We imitate Jesus.

If we want to let our lights shine, we must imitate Jesus, for he is the light of the world (John 1:9; 8:12). If we want to bring glory to our Father, we see to walk as Jesus did. Paul urged the Corinthians: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The Corinthians didn’t need to follow Paul for the sake of following a famous apostle, but they were to follow him in the way he followed Christ.

Two: We watch what we say.

“Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15). If we want to allow our lights to shine in this dark and dying world, we must go through life “without murmuring and arguing.” Complaining is the way of the world. Log on to Facebook and see how many people complain about their circumstances from day to day. Go to work and hear how many people complain about what the boss just asked them to do. Go to school and hear your fellow students complain about an assignment.

Such is not the way of Jesus. Be different. Stand out. Do all without murmuring and arguing and shine like a star.

Three: We live differently from the world.

Again, notice Philippians 2:14-15—We shine like stars as we are “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish.” If we’re just like the world, there will be no letting our light shine. Be different and point people to Jesus. Be different at work, at school, and at home.

Four: We live intentionally.

What Jesus says we’re to do cannot happen by accident. Instead, we live intentionally. We determine that we’re going to let our lights shine, and we see every day how best we can do that. Tomorrow morning, before you even get out of bed, ask yourself, “What can I do today to let my light shine?” Then, let your light shine in a big way.

Are you letting your light shine? May God bless you as you seek to point a light to him.