Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
After praying and asking the Lord what message to write this week, I picked up one of my journals and read a prayer I had written a year ago on January 1st:
“Lord, I want this year to be one of growing closer and more in love with You, to be more of a worshiper, to reflect you to others. I want to be more compassionate, more generous, more loving. This morning I was looking at the snow globe lantern Dave gave me for Christmas. When the battery is turned off, it’s still pretty. But when I turn it on, it glows and sparkles and swirls with colorful glitter. I noticed the beautiful reflection on a mug close by. That reminded me that as I walk daily with Jesus, with the Holy Spirit in me, I am to be a reflection of His glory. It’s like the sun and the moon – the moon shines but has no light of its own. It is a reflection of the light from the sun. I am to be a reflection of the Son, the light of the world. Let His light shine through me so that others will see and be drawn to Him, the Son-light!”
As I was beginning to write this message today, I had a candle burning on the table next to me. I love the warm glow and the fragrance, and I was reminded of the friend who gave it to me as a gift. In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that “You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
I started thinking about how our good works can reflect Jesus, and I remembered Ephesians 2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. It is clear from verse 9 that we are not saved by good works, we are saved by faith. But our good works should reflect the character of Jesus so that others will be drawn to Him.
As I follow Jesus, I want to remember that everything I do is to be done as unto Him, through His Spirit in me. He is the one to receive the glory. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever (Romans 11:36).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
How are you challenged to let your light shine?
What has God called you to do for Him?
What gifts has He given you that cause His light to be reflected through you to others?
How does God receive the glory for the good works you do?
Hi Sherrilyn. I enjoy every one you send me and they sure hit the spots so many of the times. Sure would love be to see you in person sometime and maybe in Sweden again.
Dear Sherrilyn, God’s message through you challenged me with the Personal Reflection questions. I wrote:
“LORD, I desire for You to shine Your light through me to others. I recognize I have no light in myself, that is in my flesh, BUT I DO have YOUR light inside of me. Oh, may I so live by the power and light of Your Holy Spirit that others will see You in me even when I cannot.”
Thank You, Sherrilyn for your faithfulness to God’s call on your life!!
The lighted snow globe is a great illustration. Lord, make me sparkly and shiny through You!