Light makes life easier for us. When it gets dark, we tend to turn on lights. If we lose power, we
light candles. We get light from light bulbs when we turn them on or from fire. Cell phones are
now equipped with flashlights. The purpose of the light is to help us to see better.
I brought a couple of different lights with me today. Each one of them has their purpose. This
first one is actually a key chain. If provides quite a bit of bright white light for something up
close. But when I shine it on the painting of Jesus, it really does not do much to help you see it
does it.
The next light I have is a flashlight that I use quite a bit in the garage. Any idea why I like this
one? It fits in my mouth so that I can hold it right where I am working. I do not have very good
light at the front of the garage so additional light is needed. Again, this light is better for things
that are up close so when I point it up at the painting, it really does not do much to light up the
painting.
Another issue with this light is that many times I get tired of holding the light in my mouth. So I
came up with a brilliant idea. I happen to have two of these lights. I really have no idea what
they came off but I will be mounting them in the front corners of the garage and have them
pointing down towards the car. I figure that two of these going should light up whatever I am
working on.
Check out the painting with just one light. Quite a bit of difference as this light is a lot more
powerful. As far as working in the garage, I will not have any problems seeing what I am doing
with two of these lit up.
In our gospel, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be
hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and
it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they
may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
You are the light of the world. What kind of light do you need to be? There are all kinds of light
in this world but I think we need to be more like this light because when I shine it up there, it
lights up Jesus.
The light that we give needs to focus on and light up Jesus in our lives for all to witness. In
living this way, people will see our good works and how God has used us for his ministry.
What does it mean for us to show others our good works? First off, good works has nothing to
do with our salvation. We are NOT saved by what we do. We are saved through Christ Jesus
and that is a free gift to us from God. It is because of what God accomplished in Christ that we
respond by sharing what God has already given us, namely HIS love.
When we take the time to stop and listen to somebody who is hurting, we are sharing God’s
love. When we are able to help somebody in need and do so, then we are sharing God’s love.
As we invite others to come and experience God as we do, then again we are sharing God’s
love.
In everything we do, we share our relationship with God to others. We proclaim God’s love for
all through our words and our actions which is how we glorify God.