Friday, January 14, 2011
Recently in my devotional time with God I read in Matthew that we are to be a light unto the world. In other wards we are to let our light that God has put in us to shine so others will be attracted to it. Some of my thoughts are included below but the inspiration was taken from a devotional I am following online. I modified it some but the theme is the same. Enjoy.
Jesus says in Matthew, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14–16). In this passage, Jesus gives believers a wonderful challenge. He exhorts us not to hide (which we may be inclined to do in this dark world) but to live as light. We are to shine, to illuminate … to glow. And how do we glow? By our good deeds. Jesus tells us that what we do and the way we live is a bridge to helping others praise, glorify and worship our heavenly Father. Our actions and lifestyle are significant catalysts in moving others towards salvation.
I have heard that in Bioluminescent Bay, Puerto Rico people travel from all over the world to see the mystical waters that shine like stars in the sea. Usually a tour guide will guide you on a kayak journey through a canal into the middle of the bay where as night begins to fall your paddle propelling you through the water will cause it to exude a beautiful blue-green light. In that moment you begin to realize how awesome our God is.
Once in the middle of the bay, the tour guide gathers the group together and begins to explain the bioluminescence. His story tells of thousands of dinoflagellates (microscopic plankton) per gallon of water in the bay that, when touched, emit a flash of blue light that creates this wonderful radiance. In essence, a touch triggers the glow.
I wonder if that isn’t God’s intention for us as well. Could it be that part of the reason why God has so graciously touched our life is so that we would glow? Is it possible you and I were saved, healed and set free so that people from all over the world living in darkness would see His light in our lives and be drawn to Him?
Peter and Paul thought so. Peter suggested that a believing wife could win an unbelieving husband to the Lord through her actions (1 Peter 3:1–2), and Paul told Titus to teach slaves (who functioned in that culture much like our modern-day employees do) the importance of being a shining light so they would make the gospel attractive (Titus 2:9–10). May we then, as a response to His saving touch, glow for the glory of God at home, at work, at school and wherever else our travels take us. Now go and be a "Glowbug"
Books Currently Reading: The Fire Within, by Thomas Dubai
Current Bible Readings / Studies: Genesis 1 -11
Devotions: Reading through the Book of Ezra and Matthew
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