Is Your Light Going Dim?

Our local drug store, CVS Heath, rocks.  These are words that I never thought would come out of my mouth.  When I was my mom’s primary caregiver, I hated going to the drug store.  Hurry up and wait…right?! When Pam and I moved to Rockwall, she talked me into making this store our preferred one even though it was a couple of miles further than other drugstores.  One of the key attractions of the store is a cordial, friendly young man who is the mainstay at the drive-up window.  Each time we pick up a prescription there is a nice exchange with an accompanying smile.  We discovered that this young man, Daniel, is a Christ-follower who teaches young kids at our church.  From my perspective, a Pharmacy Tech, would not be the best job engaging people, many who are sick and impatient especially if they have sat in their car behind a number of others alone or with noisy, frustrated kids.  Yet, this guy maintains a polite, how-can-I-help composure.  We experience a “light” on the other side of the window which we not only respond warmly to but challenges us to live better.

Like Daniel, God has called each of us to be a shining light to others.  Matthew 5:14-16 is clear about this, “¹⁵ 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.”  As these verses state, “Have you put your light under a bowl?”  Have you tethered yourself again to the world?  Are you buried under lusts?  Are you driven to climb the corporate ladder to the detriment of other important relationships? Do you live one way at work and another way at home? Are you frustrated with your wife, husband and/or children and find anger constantly brewing under the surface?  Have you prioritized your children over God?  Have the activities of this world sucked your energy dry?  Can your light barely be seen?   The world, flesh, and lust will run the battery down in your “flashlight”.

Notice the basis of your light shining to others in verse 16.  “They see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Others see you looking like Jesus wherever you go by “good deeds” done.  These good deeds shine the light of our loving God.  This is not a “do” thing.  It’s a “be” thing.  You allow the Holy Spirit (the Light) to fill you.  As you do, you are allowing your life to “be Jesus” to the world.  Furthermore, God’s name is blessed, and you become a game changer in this dark world.

Ephesians 5:8&9, states it this way, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.”  Notice that as a regenerated Christian, your new nature is full of “goodness, righteousness and truth.”  Verses 10&11 declares for us to “find out what pleases the Lord…having nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness.”

Verse 5:14 cries out, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Don’t let your light go dim.  Shine brightly!