How to be a Light onto the World
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, New International Version)
How many people can relate to the above passage? And how many of those people have for one reason or another forgotten that they are the light of the world due to the people or circumstances in their life that have dimmed their light? A bad boss, an abusive partner, a disrespectful child, a debilitating disease are just some examples of how someone’s light can be dimmed. After all what good is light if it is dim? Does the light still serve its purpose when dim? The answer to that question is no; light must shine If it wants to fulfill its purpose.
We are called to allow our light to shine on others. If we as individuals choose to allow people and or circumstances to determine that we are inadequate to shine, then we are allowing those people and or circumstances to determine that we will not fulfill our purpose. Our very purpose in life is to shine. Every day with our light and purpose we are to dispel darkness. And you want to know what…it does not take much to dispel darkness. If one match can light up a whole dark room, then surely your one act of kindness can do just the same.
The way we live and act in the world should be reflective of His word, purpose, and will. Even if you are not a believer, you and I can show that we are a light on to the world by treating everyone we come across with the same love, grace and compassion that He has shown us or the way we would want to also receive love, grace, and compassion.
Before I close, I can’t help but think of my favorite quote right now by Marianne Williamson when I think of this topic of being a light onto the world. In it she says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same” Bottom line is we should not be afraid to be the greatest version of ourselves. We also can’t be afraid to shine by fulfilling our purpose. Do you know how contagious being a light onto the world can be to so many others? The possibilities are endless. As always I thank you for reading. Until next time, take care and be true.
#thislifeiliveintruth
