“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16
The Big Dipper lights up the sky every night. It is a consistent pattern of seven stars. We see it clearly without a telescope, unless it’s cloudy. Stargazers say this set of stars also functions as a compass, a clock and a calendar. When the Big Dipper shines in the darkness, we see incredible design by an invisible hand.
Our loving God provides order for our lives.
When Jesus came into the world, He saw the darkness of doubt and despair in the eyes of people. In so many ways, the devil tries to keep people in darkness, but Jesus gives the light of truth and hope. When Jesus met a blind man, He gave him sight for his eyes as well as his soul. “As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth” (John 9:1). Suddenly, this man saw the light of the sun for the first time, and soon he believed in the Son of God.
The healing of the blind man shocked the community, but Jesus also healed his soul by bringing spiritual light. As the former blind man and Jesus talked, Jesus hinted about Someone who is the Savior of the world. The man responded with a willing mind and an open heart. “‘Who is he, sir?’ the man asked. ‘Tell me so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said, ‘You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.’ Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him” (John 9:36-38).
Jesus is in Heaven, and Christians are called upon to shine the light of the Gospel of Christ everywhere to everyone by word and deed.
“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).
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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