LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!
Matt 5:14-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
I’m going to give up a trade secret among ministers this morning. There are times when we get sick and tired of being “nice.” We get tired to death of restraining ourselves from giving certain individuals a valuable piece of our mind because they seem not to have much of a mind themselves. We grow morbidly weary of being called upon to pray some magic little prayer that will eliminate the consequences of stupidity. How we sometimes envy those whose task in life is to stand in some assembly line and unendingly attach some widget to some gadget. Perhaps this is why the majority of ministers resist the call to such a life. A candle may resent the flame – but will always yield to it.
Like a candle, we may resent the heat of the flame of ministry. We know that this flame will gradually wear us away but we also know that this is our purpose and reason for existence. Fancier candles may give off their sweet perfume but that is not their purpose or design. They are to give forth light and in order to do that they must yield to the flame. We care because God’s care has been melted and formed within us. It is part of our nature. We respond because the spirit of the Good Samaritan has been poured into us. We shine because the master regularly trims our wick.
You too are a candle formed and poured by the Lord. Do not resist the flame of obligation. Do not hide your light under the basket of selfishness. Take your place on the candlestick and let your light shine. Men will see your good works and understand that God is at the center of them. Glorify God today!
Dear Lord, I yield to the flame today! Use me to send forth your light. AMEN
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