#AtoZChallenge: Being Light for Jesus

L is for “Light”

Matthew 5:13-16

¹³ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

This month I feel less like salt and light for Christ than ever. My language does not exhibit His love as I cuss and rail at the world and my problems. I am impatient with my daughter who refuses to listen and obey me. I want revenge on an evil car salesman who sold me a vehicle six months ago and now I have to replace it because the engine is dead.

We had a great vacation but came back with illness and each of was sick for a whole week. Our return flight was canceled, and now American Airlines does not want to give me half my fare back because they did not charge as much for the return trip as they did for the trip to Miami. I mean it is the same number of miles coming and going. How ridiculous is this?

Despite all that is happening in my life, however, Christ calls me to be salt and light.  Salt enhances taste and light points the way. I am called to make Jesus more savory to the unbeliever and to light the way to Him.

How do we accomplish His command to be light and salt in the midst of trials and day to day struggles?  How do we convince unbelievers that Jesus is real, that He is love, and that he died suffering on a cross more than 2,000 years ago for them? How do we show them that He is alive and with His Father in Heaven and that belief in Him leads to joys unimaginable on this earth and the promise of everlasting life with Him?

How do we show His Truth? His Love? His sacrifice for us so that others believe and do not have to suffer an eternity in darkness and pain?  We are tasked to go into all the world and preach the Gospel of Christ and His promise of salvation and love to those who accept and believe.

It seems like a difficult task; something so big that there is no way anything I can say can impact others to believe.  Some might even find offense in the thought that if they choose not to believe that they will face an afterlife of pain and misery.  It sounds like a threat and not something unbelievers would find inviting and loving. I don’t see it that way though. To me, it is the truth. Love makes me shout from the mountain tops. Please see Jesus. Please accept Him. He loves you so much and wants joy and everlasting happiness for you.

The message of Jesus is so real. He came to this world as a baby born of a virgin so that He had no impurities in Him; no sin. He could have made himself a King, became rich and famous. He had the power of healing in His hands. He had the ability to work miracles.

However, he came as a humble son of a carpenter and young innocent woman. He came in a region scarred by invasion and poverty. He came through with a revolutionary message:
“Love your enemy. Do good to those that persecute you. Be willing to lay down your life for the cause of love.”

He wants Christians to be more like Him so that they shine a light into darkness; a  light to point the world to Him. Light to bring truth, love, and hope.

When people see me overcome my difficulties with faith and hope, I become light for Christ. No matter what is happening in my life, I can walk in victory because He empowers me to do so.

He will empower you to if you believe in His Gospel.