“You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14–16 NIV

Being in the Spotlight

I don’t like being the center of attention.

I feel REALLY uncomfortable in the spotlight.

I prefer to be in the background.

Yet, I am called to shine.

I guess this is why I enjoy writing so much. To write, I don’t have to stand on a stage. I don’t have to address the crowd. I can speak to others with my words instead of my voice. My written words are often clearer than my actual voice. I feel confident sharing my words, but actually standing up and talking to people…not so much.

God gave me the gift of writing to share who He is through my words. I felt that I could remain hidden behind my words, still remaining in the background, letting Christ take the stage. For me, it was the PERFECT plan.

But that was not His plan.

God wanted me on the stage with Him.

He calls me and says “let your light shine before others”.

I Just Want To Blend In

A few months ago, my pastor published one of my articles on the back of our church calendar. I was hesitant because of the whole — remain in the background — thing, but I agreed to it.

Then Mike, one of my friends at church, pointed it out during announcements. To EVERYONE. I was — I hate to say it — embarrassed. I couldn’t understand why.

I was being applauded and complimented by my church members and inside I was cringing. What was the matter with me? This was a wonderful thing; why on earth was I uncomfortable with this?

After I asked that question, God said: “Alexis, that’s a great question. You should probably look into that later.”

And here we are.

After church, I told God, “ I don’t want to stand out. It makes me uncomfortable. I just want to blend in and be a part of the crowd.“

God listened and then He led me to Matthew 5:14–16. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

After reading those verses over and over again, God had me look up the word light.

Merriam Webster’s defines light as:

The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.

Light brings sight. Light reveals the unseen. Not only that, it chases away the darkness. It brings security and comfort.

Think about it. Each time you turn on a lamp, darkness can no longer remain. What seems so dark and heavy, and sometimes oppressing, immediately leaves with just a flick of a switch.

Light is powerful.

And we have light in us.

That light is Jesus Christ.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Jesus is the light of the world. He says we are as well. Therefore, we are to cast out darkness too and help others walk in the light.

That’s a big deal.

We can’t do that if we’re hiding or blending in. I prefer to do both of those things, but that is not what Jesus calls us to do.

If we hide, how will the world, which is filled with brokenness and darkness ever see the light and life that Jesus gives?

Our Purpose

Light is never meant to be hidden. It has a purpose.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 15:16

The light that we have inside us is to show others the glory of God. We may be the only example of God for someone in our lives. How will they ever get to know Him, if we are afraid to shine our light?

God then led me to look up the word shine. Merriam Webster’s defines shine as:

To emit light.

When I read that definition, I view the word shine as projecting light.

We project the light, life, and love of Jesus for the world to see.

We project God’s glory.

We shine.

So if you ever feel embarrassed about shining, remember who you are.

You are the light of the world.

Just like our Jesus.

And He calls you to shine.

This devotion originally appeared on Devotable written by Alexis Newlin

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