“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

Two verses before this, Matthew says, : “You are the light of the world.” (v. 14). It’s very important for us as Christians to be a shining light. But where does this light come from?

First, it is a reflection. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” We are created to look like God and, in Him, there is no darkness, (1 John 1:5), He is all light. So, we are light…or can be. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1). Get up and shine; we reflect His light so our world can see…HIM.

Second, we need to be near God to be filled with His light. Remember in Exodus 24, Moses went up on the mountain to meet with God and receive the Ten Commandments and it says, “the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai” (v. 16). Can you imagine that sight from below? Talk about fireworks! And, in Exodus 34, when Moses came down from the mountain with the two stone tablets, his face was shining so brightly that Aaron and others were afraid to come near him, (v. 29-30). Moses had spent many days with God and it showed. How much time are we spending with Him? “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18). More time with God…more light.

Luke tells us to, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,” (12:35). Be ready and don’t let your light, go out. We must be ready every day because someone may need to see our light which will allow us to tell them where it comes from. The more we shine our light, the more chance we’ll have to impress people, not for our glory, but for God’s. King Nebuchadnezzar called Daniel in to help him and said,  “I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.” (Daniel 5:14). There is darkness around us. People we meet may be in a dark place. A smile, a kind word, or helping them; there are many ways we can shine. Let’s do it!