“In the same way…you should be a light for others.” Matthew 5:16
This morning as I was driving, I heard a story on the radio. It was about a man who had car trouble and was stuck in his car and it was late at night. He was anxiously awaiting daylight so he could begin walking and get some help. It was so dark and time seemed to stand still. He opened up his cell phone to check the time. When he did, the light from the phone dispelled the darkness and anxiousness left him and he was able to peacefully await the dawn and go for help.
This story made me think about that little song we used to sing in vacation Bible school years ago – you probably know it; this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
As I was humming this song and checking email, I read an email from one of our readers and he shared with me how God was having him minister to others, both family and friends.
This had me thinking about something Jesus said; He said to let our light shine to others. He is the light that is in us. That’s the light we should let shine.
You see, there are many people, all around us, who are in darkness. They find themselves just like the man at the beginning of this story; stuck in the darkness with no light in sight, anxious and waiting for a way out. Jesus is that way out and you carry Him with you.
When you step into a person’s life that is beaten and battered by circumstances, a light comes on; it is the light you carry, the light of Jesus Christ. Suddenly they are no longer anxious and afraid, suddenly they can see a light at the end of the tunnel and hope springs up.
I don’t know how many times I have felt led to call a friend and when I first begin to talk with them, they are discouraged and depressed, but the longer I talk the more they become lifted up. They begin to say things like ‘I am so glad you called, I feel so much better now.’ This has absolutely nothing to do with me and everything to do with the light I carry – which is Jesus.
Also, I have found myself in need of encouragement and a friend will call me and begin to talk to me about the Word or what God is doing and I will feel myself becoming encouraged in the Lord. Sometimes we all need to be lifted up and it’s wonderful if you can be a part of lifting someone else up. Sometimes all it takes is a little light to see that there is hope – there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
That is part of what we are called to do. It’s not to get filled up with Jesus and then just walk around smiling – no – we are to go into the world and let His light shine through us – so that men and women will see the God in us and know there is a better way. So they will know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So that hope can spring forth. Hope rests in God and when you spread the light of the gospel, you spread hope and the Bible says that hope does not disappoint.
Today, as you go about your day – ask God to show you who needs the illumination of Jesus in their life and then go into their presence or call them on the phone and let your light shine. Let Jesus shine through you and minister life – the Zoë life of God to them.
You may never know the impact you will have on that person’s life. You know, I do this motivation daily in hope that I minister to others and every now and then I receive an email from someone who says they wanted to give up, but what we wrote encouraged them. Friends that is what it is all about. We are blessed with the light of Jesus so we can bless others and lead them to Him.
You have something they may not have – peace, joy, revelation of who you are in Christ and hope. Share that with others – you will reap a mighty harvest and you just may change a life. And yes – one person can change someone’s world – I know one person changed mine – Jesus.
