Let's be light!

After a storm in Boston, I was on my way to church and couldn't help but notice how all the cars on the road were covered in salt and mud splashed by passing vehicles. I knew my own car looked just as dirty. As I waited at a red light, a car pulled up next to me that was completely clean. It stood out among all the other cars, and it was easy to see that it had possibly just been washed. Not only was it spotless, but it was also white, which made it even more noticeable.

As I looked around, I realized that all the other cars - the one to my left, my right, in front of me, and behind the white car - were so dirty that the clean car stood out and shone like a beacon. This made me think about the Lord's call on our lives to be the light of the world in the midst of darkness. Just like that clean car stood out on the dirty road, we are called to stand out in a world that can often be dark and challenging. We should strive to be a light for others, to bring hope and positivity to those around us.

What does it mean that we are light? Good that where we are, our presence can still be perceived and people see clearly that our lifestyle is different, guided by the values of the Kingdom of God. In what way can you see that we are Children of God? For our responsibility and punctuality at work; for the excellence with which we fulfill the tasks assigned to us, for harmonious and well-managed homes. But also important is our character and our attitudes. Does this mean that we should not have conflicts or difficulties in dealing with others? Not really, what he means is that we must learn to handle conflict and difference situations wisely. It is very possible that we worry about talking about the message of salvation and the power of God. However, our words will have no impact unless they are accompanied by a life that exemplifies walking with Christ.

Richard Stearn in his book 'The Hole in our Gospel' shares that there is approximately one third of the world's population that identifies as believers in Jesus Christ; however we are not making the expected impact. Let us remember that a handful of apostles impacted the ancient world and caused a spiritual, social and political transformation in the Greco-Roman empire. The way to impact this world is by living whole lives before God so that the world wants to know the one who transformed us.

Well our impact should not only be in the workplace but also in our homes, our neighborhood, as the word says that our kindness is known to all.

Finally our continuous search for holiness will help us to have a testimony that makes others look back with intrigue when they see our “cleanliness” as I look at that car, and they will be able to see and hear about the author of our salvation.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of salvation, help me and everyone who reads this meditation to live according to your commandments so that the world will see the difference by walking by your side. May the daily reading of Your Word, prayer, fasting and all the spiritual disciplines cleanse me every day so that your light shines on us. In the name of Jesus I ask this. Amen.