"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 it 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."
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"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven"
A really nice old couple knocked on my door earlier this week on my day off. My dog, Chauncey, went ballistic...he's seven years old now and he is still greeting people at the door the same way every time. With two kids-a-playing and one dog-a-barking inside, I stepped outside. The moment I stepped out it felt like a program had commenced. Methodically they asked me some leading questions about whom I believe controls the world and if God hears my prayers. The husband slowly located a passage in Isaiah chapter one which he read to me and then, as if he'd already done it thirty times that morning, he pulled out a "Watchtower" pamphlet and began to make his case. They were so sweet it felt like there was no appropriate time to step in, but when I felt the moment was right I shared with them my concern that they were picking verses out of the Bible without trying to fully understand them in the context of the whole of God's story in scripture. Unhindered by my concern they moved to point number two in the pamphlet. This time I had to interrupt them. I tried to go back to my previous thought, but seeing where this conversation was going they kindly began to close their pamphlets and Bibles. I told them that my trust was in Jesus and I hoped they would find their hope in Him. They agreed with me as they walked toward their car. I thanked them for stopping by.
As they drove away my thoughts raced. They were really gentle and kind. The presentation they made to me felt so sterile and lifeless. I felt a little hurt - was I too harsh? And I thought about my faith...should I be doing what these people are doing today? I spent three years working with Adventures in Missions where we led groups of teens on missions trips domestically and out of country. We would do door-to-door evangelism on these trips, and my soul would wrestle with it. The good news is incredibly good news but it sometimes seemed so out of context when there was clearly no relationship present. Often I would train the teams that I led to begin by getting to know the people first, caring for them, praying for them. Within the context of that kind of love we can effectively share the greatest story of love this world has known. It didn't bother me if we spent all two hours of our door-to-door evangelism at one door.
Jesus looks at me and says "You are the light of the world; like a town on a hill you stand and shine. The purpose of light is to shine and provide sight to those in darkness, why would you ever conceal your purpose?"
A few paragraphs later in Matthew's account Jesus says "be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to by seen by them. If you do, you will have nor reward from your Father in heaven."
Where do the two meet?
Jesus said that we should seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be given as well. He said that a good tree bears good fruit, and that the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart. Jesus said that we need to remain in Him like a branch must remain in the vain, and apart from Him we can do nothing. He says take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yours souls.
So here's where I'm at...it's so easy for me to forget that Jesus said "Let your light shine." He didn't say "Shine your light." You may think this is negligible, to me it is essential. In my relationship with Jesus I am so inclined to "do," I totally miss out on the "let." Our first priority in following Jesus is being close to Him, remaining in Him, abiding in Him. When we sell out to seek Him first we can't help but to shine like stars, or maybe more apropos - the moon.
A city on a hill has nowhere to hide, neither can a light on a stand, so they shine on.
I'm still grappling with these thoughts, but I can't help but think that in our haste to "shine our lights" we run the great risk of losing proximity to the source, and the light that we so securely believe is light isn't actually light at all. Letting our light shine before others begins with a full surrender and recognition of who the author of light is to begin with. The closer we are to the inception, the brighter we shine.
Have you wrestled with this? What have you learned in the struggle?
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