lights in the world

​By Diana Rose (WITHIN Devotional Writer)
​
As God’s children how ought we live in this present age, a time filled with injustice, fear
and anger?

Do we react in kind, and we seek revenge? No, “vengeance is mine, says the LORD.” Do
we give up and plunge into thoughts of despair? No, “the LORD is our shelter, an ever
present help in time of trouble.” Do we ignore the suffering and bury our heads in the
sand? No, we are called to “seek peace and pursue it!”

Then how? How ought we to live?

AS LIGHTS, like lights in the house placed on an end table (Matthew 5:15)
I am daily on the struggle-bus with this command.

Being a light in my particular circumstances seems insignificant and unimportant.
Shelter in place orders, school and church closures, and minimal contact with my
girlfriends has greatly decreased my circle of influence. My role as a mom has
transformed radically and I am no longer hustling to keep up with the demands of
parenting small children. The past four months I have felt like a light left on and
forgotten in some remote part of the house. Maybe your life stage looks way different
than mine but at the end of the day you too feel like your light is insignificant and
unimportant.

This is where scripture is most excellent in correcting my thinking.
When I make my impact, my purpose, my life about me I will always be left feeling
empty. As a child of God my job, my husband, my children, my church, my day are never
about me. All of it was given to me by God for the glory of God!

I am to live as a light in this dark world SO THAT “they may ​see​ my good works...and
glorify​ my Father...” Whether I am alone in my house all day or am surrounded by an
audience I am commanded to be a light in all that I think, say and do in front of all men
so that they would look at my life and turn around and give my Father glory.

Is this easy? No, but if it was easy we wouldn’t need Jesus. Christ is the true light of the
world (John 1:9) and because He is we can follow His example. Jesus lived, and died to
do the work of the Father that God would be glorified (John 17:4) and because of His
 
death, burial and resurrection those who have placed their faith in Christ can live as
lights before men by the strength and grace that He supplies.

Prayer; Lord please forgive my pride in making today about me. Please help me to be a
light for others to see so that you would be glorified. In Jesus name amen
"​Let your light shine​ before men in such a way [so] that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
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The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:
Matthew 5:14-16
John 1:4-9
John 8:12
John 17:4


Questions to Reflect on:

1. Are there areas in your life that you are making about you?
2. How does living as a light before men so that they would glorify God challenge
the way you think about your daily life?
3. How does Jesus' example challenge and encourage you to obey the command to
be light in the world?