As I began writing my Wednesday message this morning, I realized that it sounded very similar to one I had already done. Lo and behold, when I went back through my files, what I was writing was very similar to what God had laid on my heart in 2020 after a sermon by our guest speaker, Richard Parker. I combined the two and here is what I came up with. Happy Wednesday!
Our lives should look different after we have become a child of God. Our responses to situations, our interactions with others, and our everyday behavior should reveal the light that is shining in us. This is obviously a message the Lord wants us to hear. Light is mentioned 95 times in the New Testament.
We have a responsibility to let our light shine. We talk about how “dark’ our world has gotten. It is ugly out there. That should tell us that our light needs to shine brighter than ever. But, because we are human, the ugliness tends to make our light weaker. Our 100-watt light bulb shines like a 40-watt light bulb. To combat this, we must focus on our blessings. We need to do for others. We need to live with a grateful heart and focus on the gifts we have been given. We need to stay in close contact with the one who is all powerful. We must pray, pray, pray! As we do, we can shine like an LED light bulb.
Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Are you a 20-watt bulb or one of those bright LED lights that brings warmth into a room? How can you increase your wattage? No matter how brightly you are shining, find a way to be a light in the darkness!
Shine, Shine, Shine!
Tina