Lit!

“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. Matthew 5:14-16

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting an event for an amazing group of women! The theme God impressed upon my heart for the year was “Ladies of Light.” But more than a cute title, the distinction between light and darkness goes all the way back to the beginning of creation.

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.
God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.”    (Genesis 1:3-4)

So here we are only 3 verses into the Bible and we have an indication that we were meant to be separate. We know as believers we are called to be light bearers.  But what does that practically look like? What steps can we take to start to live in a way that leaves a glowing impact from corner to corner that reflects the glory of God?

1. Look to the source. If we want to be a people who radiate light, we have to first look to the source. Psalm 34:5 reminds us that “Those who look to Him are radiant and their faces will never be ashamed.” The word radiant literary means: to become evident, sending out light; to shine or glow brightly. If we want to send out light we have to make sure we are looking to the light giver. Where we focus our gaze impacts our light more than we may realize. Jesus said “The eyes are the lamp of the body. So if your vision is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your vision is poor, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23). So think about it:

• Where are you looking?
• What things have captured your attention lately?
• Are they cultivating areas of light or clouding your vision with darkness?

Looking to Jesus as our model is crucial because it is easy to rely more on ourselves, friends/family or other “influencers” for validation and assurance. Getting inspiration from others isn’t necessarily wrong, we just have to be mindful that just because a person “appears” as light doesn’t mean they are. Remember Satan himself “masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Jesus is the light of the world. Period.  So let’s focus on Him.

2. Listen to His Instruction. So many places throughout scripture we see God’s command to give heed to His instruction, pay attention to His words, and incline our hearts to wisdom. As we listen by spending time in His word, prayer, and being sensitive to how He can use others to speak into our lives, we can find clearer direction.

• What is He saying specifically to you about your area of influence as a child of light?
• Are there things He has already called you do that you need to act on?
• Where have you been specifically called to shine and how? Is it on your job, in your family, in your community?

The direction for where to aim our light comes as we listen to Him.

3. Live as light. For those of us who have the privilege to be called light bearers, it is such a humbling thought, because we ourselves “used to be in the darkness”(Ephesians 5:8). However, now that we belong to God, we are not only “in the light” we have been called to “live like people who belong to the light” (Ephesians 5:8). Could it be that some of the darkness we see around us is simply because we are not living to shine in a way described in God’s word? Are we are conforming more to the culture around us, instead of shining brightly, set apart like the city on a hill? Friend, there’s too much at stake for us to hide. As the ladies at my luncheon highlighted, living as woman of light could:

• Help save someone’s life simply by the kindness you show them (fruits of spirit).
• Win souls for the kingdom (discipleship).
• Inspire others to know their value in Christ as they see you walk in faith/purity in this oversexualized age.

Let’s boldly walk forward, beaming with the glow of the Son for the glory of God. Amen?

Living as a light is not always going to be easy. Light exposes darkness (John 3:19-21) and sometimes that will make people uncomfortable. You may receive opposition, be laughed at for taking a stand, called a fanatic, and others may even envy your sparkle, without failing to recognize that you’re simply doing what God desires (John 3:21). But I want you to be encouraged and walk with your heads high, having an awareness that as daughters of the King wherever you go, it is in your nature to radiate because you do not belong to darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5). D.L. Moody wrote “A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns they just shine.”

Stay lit loves.
For Jesus that is.
Until Next Time,