I recently heard Dr. Mark Quanstrom, from Olivet Nazarene University, speak on being the light of the world. He shared from the well-known passage in Matthew 5 that has been titled the Sermon on the Mount. In our minds it can be easy to read that passage as, we are becoming the light of the world, but, no, it says we are the light of the world.
14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
NIV
A group of misfits and broken people. We are who he is speaking to. Jesus opened the gates of the kingdom to the poor in spirit. The mourners. Those whose lives, by the standard of the world, might not seem all put together and shiny. We are the light. We are the conduit whom he chooses to use to display his love to others. To be his hands and feet. To be his mouth piece to proclaim the good news. He uses us to reflect his image of goodness and kindness to others.
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.
NIV
The amazing thing about light is that it displaces darkness, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant it is. So if you feel like your light is just a flickering ember, let it shine. If you feel like you don’t have all the answers, be humble, and let it shine. Don’t hide the light you have to share under a veil of shame. Let it shine before others. You can do so in faith, believing, because you know the source of the light is not empowered by you, but the Light that was present at the foundation of the world.
