Clothesline 286 "Let your light shine"

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Jesus said that. Let your light shine. He also said not to put your light under a basket where no one will see it. The imagery of light is perfect for the Christian life. We need light. Without light, especially at night, we are unable to see. Have you ever driven at night when the streetlights are out? Yes, you have your headlights, but it’s can be very scarry at times.

I remember a nighttime experience in Israel many years ago. It was unforgettable and it required a great deal of trust in a person I knew nothing about. He was called the camel driver. At three o’clock in the morning, about sixty of us assembled at the base of Mt. Sinai, with an equal number of camels and camel drivers. What an awkward experience, being hoisted onto the back of a camel, but I eventually made it…with the help of several camel drivers, lifting me up from behind! And when all of us were properly “seated”, we began the trek up the mountain. I was never more aware of the need for light then at that moment…and we had God’s light—a beautiful moon—the only light we had. We were totally dependent upon the camel driver’s skill and keen eyes as we moved closer and closer to the top.

We arrived safely at about dawn, and as beautiful as the top of the mountain was, the trip to get there was far more impressionable. Total dependance on the skill of a person I had never met, along with God’s special light of the moon…the perfect reminder of the Christian life…shine the light of Christ in all places for all to see.

Jesus is the light of the world, and he told us that we share that light when we choose to followed him. And when we take that step to follow him, there is a consequence: Don’t hide your light under a basket. Let your light shine before others.”

We live in a very divided world and sometimes it’s difficult to be the light of Christ. But that’s what we are called to be. Sometimes it might seem that our current situation is hopeless. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ has something to say about that. The Gospel means that there is hope—not hope that we will avoid death, but hope in spite of death. God’s goal for the whole creation is to be united with him in heaven forever!

So, just remember one thing: whatever the question, Jesus is the answer, and by following Him, you get to spread that light throughout your world. So, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”