There was an old hymn we used to sing:

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin.

The Light of the world is Jesus.

I don’t hear it much these days. Yet the message is as true today…maybe more so…than when I was young singing those words.

As I travel to various places in our world, as I look across the spiritual landscape, it is quite obvious that our world is in darkness and needs a great light. The Light of the world.

Yet most in darkness don’t see the light. They often aren’t aware they need the light. Oh, yes, many know that something is not right in their world, or more specifically, in their lives. But they don’t know what to do. Where to turn.

That’s why Jesus… the Light of the world…said to His followers:

You are the light of the world….

Matthew 5:14 NLT

The Lord went on to say that our light should shine into the darkness in a way that points others to Him, that glorifies our Heavenly Father.

Henry Blackaby in his book Experiencing God Day by Day wrote:

“There is no mistaking the effect of light upon a darkened place. Light boldly and unabashedly announces its presence and vigorously dispels darkness.”

Can I expand that just a bit? It is one thing to carry the light, to shine the light, to hold up a spiritual mirror and reflect the light. It is another thing to live the light. Today, I would say we need to hear, “Let your life so shine before men that they see Jesus and glorify our Heavenly Father. I can tell others what God’s Word says. Far better if my life also shows others that we are living and walking in that light personally.

Blackaby went further in his writing:

“God’s desire is to fill you with His light. He wants you to shine as a brilliant testimony of His presence and power in your life, so that the darkness in the lives of those around you will be displaced by the light of God’s glory. Can that be said of you as well? Do your coworkers recognize the light that is within you? Does the presence of Christ radiate from your home into your community? When God’s light is allowed to shine unhindered through your life, the darkness around you will be dispelled.”

There are many around you who need light. Their life is filled with darkness. Some of it is of their own making. Others live in circumstances where there is no light, no hope. They need to catch a glimpse of the hope in your life, and they will be drawn to that ultimate Light.

James wrote his letter to believers scattered abroad. They had a great opportunity to make an impact for Christ and the Gospel, but James had a word of warning for them:

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

James 1:22 NLT

So… today…let your LIFE shine before those around you so that they will see Jesus.

God’s best,