How Can You Be The Light, If You Are Not Light?

 recall a time in my life when I was carefree.  That is not to say that I didn’t have responsibilities, or the occasional worry and stress that come from living in this world, but I was generally very carefree.  Most recently I have felt weighed down, that is to say, burdened by the cares of the world and fighting desperately to get back to that carefree state.  I often recall saying to friends that “I want to be light.”  I viewed that lightness as being relieved from the burdens that seemed to be weighing me down.  It was only this past week that I realized that being carefree is not being relieved of burdens, but rather choosing to be carefree.  My aha moment was realizing that feeling heavy or feeling light was my choice.

​After realizing it was a choice, I also realized how important it is to feel and be light.  Christians are called to be God’s ambassadors and to allow His light to shine through us and to be a beacon to those that are in darkness.  If Christians are weighed down, it may be difficult to allow God’s light to be visible to others.   There are several scriptures that speak to this light and its importance.

John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

I John 1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
Throughout the Bible, God admonishes Christians to let this light shine.

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

Matthew 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

I Thessalonians 5:5 “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”

Ultimately I have decided it is a choice.  I have the ability to determine how I will receive and view the challenges in my life.  I can view them as a weight and allow myself to be burdened and risk hiding the light; or I can be prayerful, give the weight/burden to God (Psalms 55:22), and allow His light to shine brightly.

Glory To God For All That He Has Done

Blessings – Janice

All scripture is in King James Version

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