Jennifer Foster, Brazil
“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
“You are the light of the world.” As I read these words from the book of Matthew, my heart began to sink. Feeling as though my light was as dim as a light could be, surrounded by darkness, I began to wonder how I could be the light of the world. How could I, a young, single, white female fulfill this light mandate when I knew the darkness, faults, weaknesses, and struggles within me?
Thoughts of how big the world really is began to overwhelm me. While walking on this earth, Jesus said that He was “the light of the world” (John 8:12). John also tells us that “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). And as beautiful as these Scriptures are, the more I read, the more hopeless I began to feel.
Desperate to understand how to be light like Him, I cried out to the Lord, “You are Light. In You there is no darkness. Jesus, You are the Light of the World. You brought salvation to all. But I’m not You! How can You tell me that I am the light of the world?”
Then, a still, small voice spoke inside of me: “Genesis 1.” I turned to see where this was going. As I did, my eyes fell on the answer to my question: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
There, in black and white, was my answer! I can be the light of the world because I have been made in the image of God! The very DNA of God, Light Himself, has been weaved into every fiber of my being. I can be the light of the world because His light is in me!
Amidst all the darkness, struggles, weaknesses, and failures, we have been made to be light. We are His light, and even a little light can make a big difference. A single candle burning on a dark night can be seen from 30 miles away.
Maybe you feel your light has been dimmed due to family struggles, financial difficulties, or unfulfilled dreams. Take that little light to the Light of the World and let Him reignite a bonfire within you.
You have a light burning inside of you, and darkness can never overcome your light. You are the light of the world! Go shine your light.