“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Have you ever received a gift and just couldn’t figure out what it was supposed to do? Some gifts are obvious; socks are socks, shirts are shirts, etc. and they have a specific purpose that is apparent and pretty much universally understood. Other gifts may be unique and specific but understood by both the giver and receiver. Perhaps something the receiver explicitly requested or at least something the giver knew was needed or desired.
Then, there are those gifts that needed to have come with instructions or at least a picture or two to understand what to do with it and how to do whatever it is you are supposed to do with it! The gift may indeed have a purpose and usefulness but, unless the receiver can fully appreciate the potential of the gift, it may go unused or at the very least not used for its intended purpose.
The same can be said about the gifts of God in your life. The greatest and over-arching of all gifts is the gift of salvation. In order to even receive this gift, you must already know what it is for and that you need it (must have it, in fact!). Once you receive the gift of salvation, you reap the benefits and blessings of that gift throughout life as well as eternity!
But, along with salvation, you receive many other gifts. In fact, you are daily loaded down with benefits as we read in Psalm 68:19. As you learn more of God’s Word and His plan for your life, you experience God’s abundant love for you and see first-hand that your heavenly Father desires to give good gifts to His children.
Today, we are looking at one gift in particular — light. Without the Lord, there is darkness. The Word of God even tells us that we were once a part of the kingdom of darkness! But now, you are light in the Lord since you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus is the Light of the World and, because He has made his home in you, you are the light of the world.
So, what do you do with a gift like that? What is its purpose? Fortunately, we have the instruction manual, the Bible, so we can know exactly what to do with this gift: let it shine! First, the light shows you the way. It is a lamp and a light for you so that you can always know how to live, how to walk. You may have heard that experience is the best teacher, but in fact the Holy Spirit is the best teacher. Just because you learned to do things in the dark does not mean you know how to do them in the light! Walk in the light of the Lord.
Also, the purpose of God’s light shining in you is to show others the way to Jesus, the light. The Lord has done great things in your life, but not just so that you can experience His greatness. Every good thing He has done for you should bring glory to His name. As you reflect the light of God’s glory and His presence in your life, others are drawn to Him. God does not give us gifts just to enjoy all to ourselves — He always has a purpose bigger than right here and right now. You’re full of His light, now what? It’s time to shine!