Being a Light

It’s not surprising to me to sometimes see houses at Christmastime that have gotten some extreme decorating.  What is surprising is that sometimes these houses are located on a street that gets almost no traffic. So presumably these people must do this decorating for their own personal enjoyment. When the rare visitor beholds the sight and appreciates it, the owners of these masterpieces probably never even realize the joy they have spread.

It occurred to me that the life of a Christian is a lot like these festive houses. We are to live in a way that is a light unto the world.  Jesus taught in the Beatitudes that “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 its 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.”[1] 

Like the festive house on the main road, we will often see the fruit of our labor, sometimes even predictably, with lives changed for the better and souls saved.  But like the house hidden away, sometimes an unremarkable interaction occurs, and we do not realize that we have made a tremendous impact on somebody. It was just our shining that left an indelible mark on someone.

So remember to shine, and be the light you were meant to be.

[1] Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV).