Let Your Light Shine

All believers are called to be the light of the world, as Jesus stated in Matthew 5:14. No matter where we are in life, we are encouraged to make the best use of our time for Jesus, using the skills, talents, resources, and spiritual gifts He has bestowed upon us. God wants us to be worthy vessels fit for His use in these last days. Our mission begins at home, our communities and within our inner circles, ultimately impacting the world for Christ.

And so, let me ask you, are you letting your light shine in your community in these last days, wherever you go? Are people seeing Christ in you and appreciating God for you?

If you are already shining for Him, praise God! I encourage you to continue. If you feel unsure or recognize a need for deeper commitment and sincerity in your walk with God, praise God as well—this indicates your readiness to become a vessel for His use during these last days. I personally aspire to be an effective vessel in God’s hands, and if you are still reading this, I believe you desire that too.

Wherever God’s children gather, His light must shine. We are to illuminate the darkness surrounding us and live lives pleasing to the Lord. The Bible urges us in Ephesians 5:15-17 to be mindful of our conduct; we live for Christ, allowing Him to shine through our words and actions. Verse 16 encourages us to seize our time wisely, for the days are evil and may worsen until Christ returns for His church. We exist in a world that daily persecutes believers—a world that does not honor or revere God and seeks to undermine those who follow Jesus. The god of this world, Satan, has gained unwarranted reverence. Society shows scant regard for moral integrity, often fulfilling the flesh’s desires and leading many believers astray.

In order to let our light shine for Christ, we must prepare ourselves for opposition and persecution as we uphold our moral standards and beliefs. Jesus reminds us in John 15:18 that the world will despise us because of Him. We must stand firm in Christ amid adversity and never compromise who we are. Many believers have stopped shining for Christ, having conformed to the ungodly standards of this world. Although this Christian journey can be daunting, my personal testimony strengthens me. Reflecting on what the Lord has done for me and His unwavering presence during life's peaks and valleys urges me to keep pressing onward.

Understanding our purpose on this earth is vital. Why are we here in this moment and generation? We are not here merely to take up space. We must ask ourselves what God wants us to accomplish for Him. Achieving marriage, raising children, pursuing careers, and attaining education and material success are all meaningful, but after we achieve these, then WHAT? The Lord did not create us solely to acquire wealth; there is a higher calling—to do the work of the Master. This should be our foremost priority. Many achieve worldly success and wealth but find themselves empty, lacking joy and peace because the Prince of Peace is not at the center of their lives. Regardless of our circumstances, the joy of the Lord should be our strength, providing peace even amid life's storms.

Dear friends, let’s realign our priorities. The Bible in Matthew 6:33 calls us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, assuring that all else will follow.

Earlier, I emphasized that to make our light shine for Christ, we must be ready to face opposition from every angle. As authentic children of God, who heed the voice of the Master and refuse to compromise our beliefs, we may indeed find ourselves standing alone. Even those who claim to be our brothers and sisters in faith may turn their backs on us.

Throughout scripture and in our contemporary world, there are remarkable men and women of faith who have served the Lord with unwavering commitment, standing firm in the face of adversity and temptation. Notable bible characters like Daniel, Joseph, the Apostle Paul, Stephen, and Mordecai exemplify this steadfastness. They resisted compromise, maintaining their beliefs and moral integrity. Regrettably, today we see some preachers who have traded their convictions for fame, power, or wealth—a deeply disheartening reality.

Friends, it is our divine calling to let our light shine by upholding the high standards set for every Christian. We serve a God of integrity, and we must reflect that in our lives.

Anyone, regardless of their faith, can engage in good works and receive accolades from others. Yet, what sets believers apart is our commitment to high standards, our sincerity, and our motives. We must ask ourselves: Are we doing good to please ourselves or others, or are we genuinely seeking to glorify God? Our deeds must honor Him.