What does it mean to shine your light?
I believe shining your light is about making a mark, making a difference, ignoring the negative opinion of others and being a positive influencer. And I think “your light” is that special, unique, one-of-a-kind thing that the Lord has deposited in you to make you who you are. Your light is the most wonderful parts of your life that reflects your special character, your value, your worth and the way you are going to influence the world by sharing the love of Jesus among others.
What does Jesus say about light?
Our Lord Jesus Christ describes Himself as "the light of the world." John also calls Him "the life that is the light of men," "the light that shines in the darkness" (John 1:4-5). The light in us represents the light in Jesus. Once we give our life to Jesus, we have the light shining through our lives and our actions will begin to reflect the nature of Christ, His love, compassion, kindness, peace , and forgiveness among others .The light will begin to shine through our attitude, words, deeds and our character.
Light can reveal what is hidden in the darkness, as well as showing the way out. The light that shines from a child of God can show others their inadequacies and let them know that the only way is Jesus and He is the truth and the life (John 14:6).
So how do we shine?
By using edifying words
In (James 3:8), the Bible described the tongue as “a restless evil, full of deadly poison”. Our words can either speak life or speak death to people’s life (Proverbs 18:21) and our tongues can build others up or tear them down. Ephesians 4:29 encouraged us to ensure that our words are edifying, fit for purpose and brings grace to others.
Beloved there are people out there who are in the business of destroying others with their poisonous words and negative opinion. As Christians, we need to stop allowing other people to poison our day with their words or opinions. We need to stand strong in the Lord and in the truth of our beauty and journey in Christ and live each day without any attachment to the validation of other people’s opinion. I believe the world will be a better place if we can stop gossiping about others and only appreciate God for all the good things we see in them and pray for any inadequacies we identified in people.
It will be a good prayer to ask God to set a guard over our mouth and keep watch over the door of our lips (psalm 141:3). Do you believe words can heal? (proverb 12:18 says “……the tongue of the wise brings healing”). We need to always allow our words to bring healing to others so they can give glory to our God. Remember the whole purpose of shining our light is for people to give glory to God.
Good use of social media
What do we post on our Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Instagram or snap chat pages? Are they comments, articles, photos or videos that will encourage people and draw them to God or are they post that are rude, inappropriate, unedifying or wayward? Think before you post these articles because people are watching you. Our post can either change people’s life for good or make them question our salvation. Our post should be uplifting and draw people to God. The Lord said if you lift me up, I will draw all men unto myself (John 12:32). We need to be a positive influencer for God if we want our light to shine.
Showing a helping hand
We can shine our light amid other people’s darkness when they are in need. In fact, as Christian we have a duty of care to ensure that people around us are fine. The bible encourages us to be our brother’s keeper (James 2:15-17, Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 3:8). Showing helping hand in time of needs is basically showing the love of God and been compassionate to others. Mathew 25: 35-40. We may also be blessed as we help others. (Mathew 25:34)
By Advertising Jesus
Advertising Jesus wherever we are is another way to shine our light to the world. This is not about putting up an advert on TV or radios or displaying posters on our office doors or cars. advertising Jesus is about proclaiming the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ and sharing His love with other people. It is about reflecting the character of our Lord Jesus in our character, our attitude , our behaviour and our relationship with others. Adverting Jesus is about showing empathy and treating others the way we would like to be treated. It is about been hardworking, diligent, dedicated and serving others and interceding for them within our capacity and not criticising them.
As Christian we are supposed to carry the anointing of recognition that will make people single us out among the crowd without opening our month to say who we are and without carrying the biggest bible in the world. I used to have people come to share their personal problems with me in my office where I use to work years back, apparently some of the problems they shared were similar to my own personal problems, but no one knows. In all these, God proved to be God in our prayers. There was healing, restoration of jobs, residency breakthroughs, marital breakthroughs and lots of miracles. It is just as if my main role in the job at the time was prayer warrior. If any person has any personal issue, the staff are quick to refer them to me for prayer as if it is part of my job. We had an inspection later that year and everyone keep saying we will get very good because of Lola’s prayer and not because of Lola’s handwork. I was amazed because Jesus Christ has made a lot of difference at work, and truly the result of the inspection was excellent, and everyone gave glory to God. I have been able to advertise Jesus within my own limit. I had testimonies from people and God also favoured me. This is exactly what I feel shinning your light is about, it is not about us, but for people to glorify God.
Beloved how do you advertise Jesus among your colleagues, your friends, families and neighbours? What kind of opinion do you think people have about you as a Christian? How many people do you think are attracted to Jesus or turned off from Jesus by your attitude and character? Jesus said, "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14).
What if you are the only person representing Jesus in your workplace, among your friends, families and neighbours? Do you believe that people may evaluate the key concept of Christianity based on the image you portrayed? Do you know that the image you portray to others can influence the quality of your Christian life and the worth of your God? Do you know that people can form an opinion about what they think of God, based on your character and your attitude as a Christian and this may either draw them close to God or draw them away from God? So please let your light shine so that God will be glorified.
Please give your life to Jesus if you have not yet done so, confess your sins to Him and believe in the resurrection power of our lord Jesus Christ. Join a bible believing church and keep rejoicing in Him.
