Even on the Darkest Day

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16  NIV

It’s the first day of winter…the darkest day of the year. Today we will have the shortest amount of daylight of any other day. I’m glad it happens at Christmastime so that it doesn’t seem as dark. The lights all around brighten the darkest of days and nights. They add cheer to otherwise dreary surroundings.

What about you? Are you a light to others this time of the year? Do you brighten the days of those around you or are you a “Scrooge” – bah humbug-ing your way through the days until Christmas is over?

Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. Just as we don’t turn a light on in our home and then cover it up, we should not hide the light of the Lord living in our lives.

So how is it that we let our light shine? Jesus tells us in vs. 16 that it is by allowing others to see your good works and praise our Father in heaven. When we do good things for others with the intent of having His light shine through us people will see it. And just as a light warms the area around it, you will warm your surroundings and the lives of those whom your light touches.

Now I know what you’re saying —  we all have a lot going on this time of the year and there’s just no time to make a difference for someone else. But there is time!

• Time to hold the door open for the person coming into the store behind you…
• Time to reach an item on a shelf or pick up something someone dropped…
• Time to drop a few coins into the red kettle…
• And there’s ALWAYS time to smile at a stranger!

God may be calling you to be a light in your world in some big and amazing way. And if He is you should do as He leads. But we shouldn’t wait for these big and amazing opportunities to let our lights shine. We should start each day asking Him how we can make a difference and light our world, then do every little thing He shows us.

And I’d love to hear of ways you follow His lead and light your world, or how someone else was a light in yours!

Blessings and peace to you as you spread His light to those around you!

Paula