I’ll believe it when I SEE it!

 

Hey everyone and happy July! Hope your summer is going well. I can’t believe that half of 2022 has come and gone. 

July is the month for picnics, cookouts, watermelon and fireworks…all of which I love. And speaking of fireworks, I’m like a kid again when I see them. I am mesmerized by the colors, patterns and their ability to light up the sky. 

Here in America, most cities and towns are gearing up for their upcoming firework displays, popup shops are starting to sell them for recreational use. The thing about the “good” firework shows, they can be seen from miles around so all you need to do is find a nearby parking spot and wait for the show to begin.

While I don’t fully understand the science behind fireworks and how all the special effects are able to create such beautiful works of art. I am even more blown away at how God created man from the dust of the earth and placed precious treasures inside of us…namely describing us as “the light of the world, “salt of the earth and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.” Our lives are to illuminate this dark world with the love of Jesus, and we should proudly display it for all the world to see. 

When it comes to our faith, we must believe before we see the manifestation of what we’re hoping for. However, with our profession of faith in Jesus Christ, it must be SEEN before it’s believed. 

So, this month I want to pose a question, what do people SEE when they encounter you? Our words are not enough but our lives and behavior must match what we say before we can be taken seriously.

 

Scriptural Reference

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

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.

 

Light is irrefutable, you can’t miss it, nor can we properly function without it. Even the smallest amount of light will shine through the darkness. Think about a light bulb, once plugged in and turned on, it’s presence and capability are undeniable. The light blub doesn’t have to announce what it is, it’s clearly obvious by its appearance in the room.

 When there’s a power outage, it renders you helpless. There is very little you can do effectively and safely in darkness but stay put. Try getting dressed in the dark, driving with no street or traffic lights, working in the dark, not happening.

The same happens in our spiritual lives when we try and do life without God. We end up stumbling and falling. We lose our way apart from the LIGHT. There is nothing we can do disconnected from God. I’ve tried it and trust me, it doesn’t work.

The light God gave us is for His glory and so that we can point others to Him. But it can only shine when we are connected to the source. Being the light of the world should come naturally for us as Christians. It’s not something we have to make happen or force in our own strength. You don’t have to use a megaphone or go around screaming that you are the light.  There are no works of our flesh involved in letting our light shine. 

It’s as simple as the song we used to sing in vacation bible school as children…”This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

As the body of Christ, the world is waiting the SEE the light we profess to have. We are not supposed to blend in, compromise or conform to the standards of man. There should be a distinct difference in the way we conduct ourselves and show up in the world. 

If there ever was a time this dark world needed to see us shining bright, it’s now. Right now. But I’m afraid we’re too busy being divided over trivial matters that the world no longer believes we are who we say we are.

We say that we have the love of Christ but can anyone see it?

We say we have compassion towards those who are unsaved or have fallen from grace but do we show it?

We say we’re non-judgmental towards people of all races, lifestyles and backgrounds but is it really true? 

Are we so far removed from what God forgave us for and delivered us from that we can’t extend that same grace to others?

We want God to be merciful towards us daily but do we offer that same mercy and forgiveness to people we “think” don’t deserve it?

In essence, do our lips match our lives? Simple question but something we all should truthfully answer and be willing to adjust the areas of our lives that God shows us. Our sole purpose should be glorifying God and keeping our personal opinions and biases out of the way.

As the light of the world, let’s focus on BEING the light. It’s not about being in the limelight or having a spotlight pointed in our direction. Having a platform, title or tenure in the kingdom is no indication that God’s light is shining through us. There are many with platforms who have turned the attention to themselves and have their own agenda. They are not bringing God glory. Our light should never be compromised for a stage or applause from man.  

 

I’ll leave you with this, light never has to introduce or identify itself….it just is. We are the light of the world….no introduction needed…just BE and people will SEE. You can’t hide your light out of fear of what others will think, some will hate your light but for some it will be just what they needed.

Someone was the light for us, and we must keep paying it forward and be the light for someone else. To dim or conceal our light is a disservice to the kingdom and the God we serve. If our light can’t be seen, who is it going to help?

Don’t make it complicated, be childlike and proud of the light God has given you. Let it shine! If you have an audience of 1 or a million, let it shine. Your light is not insignificant, it came from God. Let it shine.

The same forgiveness and compassion God extended to you, He is eager to give it to others and He wants to use YOUR light to do it! 

You have “GOOD NEWS” so never be afraid to share it! 

YOU are the light of the world so SHINE, SHINE, SHINE!

 

Please feel free to leave a comment if this blog resonates with you. I would love to hear your thoughts and will be sure to reply too! 

I appreciate you for always hanging out with me…look forward to chatting with you in again in August! 

Journal and Greeting Card Giveaway: The first 10 people to leave a comment will receive a copy of my Party of ONE journal. You will be contacted via email if you are one of the winners. You must reside in the USA.

 You are celebrated and appreciated my fellow Party of ONE!

God’s best always,

Leslie 

 

 

Scriptures to Ponder:

Eph 5:8 (NIV)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

 

Romans 13:12 (NIV)

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

 

I Peter 2:9 (NIV)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

 

John 3:16-21 (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

 

I Thessalonians 5:5 (NIV)

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

 

Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT)

Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.