Matthew 5:14-16 – You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Hunting season has come around once again this year. I remember that, when I first started to hunt, one of the regulations in the area in which I was hunting required hunters to wear at least 100 square inches of hunter's orange or international orange for protection. The bright orange would be a big contrast to the wooded area around, allowing hunters to identify one another easily. To blend into the surrounding area too well could well lead a hunter to mistake another hunter for the game being hunted. The wearing of the orange is designed to prevent accidental shootings while hunting.
As I mature in my faith, I see that I am to wear the hunter's orange. I am to stand out from my surroundings instead of blending in with them. In today's scripture, we hear Jesus telling us that we are the light of the world and that we are not to hide that light. We are to let it shine before men. I have not always let my light shine forth. I have remained quiet when I should have spoken up. I have not shared my faith with others. I have ignored the needs of others, concerned only with my own wants.
I am not to blend into my surroundings, instead I am to stand out. My faith should separate me from those around me. I wonder more and more now if people can look at me at say, "Yes, he is a Christian." If they cannot tell by my faith, then I am hiding my light.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that our light does shine before others so that they can see our faith working and praise you. We pray that we might have the courage to stand out and to stand up for our beliefs. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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