Keep The Light On!

“You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  (Jesus in Matthew 5:14-16, NASB)

My whole life I’ve known these verses, but not too long ago, God taught me something new about them.

One morning I was praying in my backyard.  I was wandering around, talking to the Lord about my life, hopes, dreams, obstacles, and concerns.  All of sudden, I thought of Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine.”  Verse 16 always meant the most to me in this passage of Scripture, but for some reason I started pondering verses 14 and 15.  I began to talk to God about these verses relating to my future.  Not long after that, I found myself praying, “God, I don’t believe you would give me skills, music, and a voice just to use it for a while, then lay it down.  That would be like putting a lamp under a basket, wouldn’t it?  You did say not to hide it, but to set it out.  That’s what I’m striving to do, Lord, and I believe that’s what You want me to always do.  So help me to continue this, and I’ll trust in You to take care of my future and my life.”

I was greatly encouraged that morning, and I want to encourage you, dear believer, to “fan into flames the gift of God which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6).  One way of the greatest ways we can shine the light of Christ is to use the talents and skills that He has given us.  A lot of us have dreams attached to those gifts.  Satan knows that if we get discouraged and doubtful, we’ll give up our hope, and our lights will dim, maybe even go out.

God’s Word tells us not to give up.  So no matter who or what may have you discouraged, press on, let your light shine, and claim this promise as your own...

“ I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.”  (Philippians 1:6, Amplified)