These Days devotional for August 21

I wrote a week's worth of devotionals for the devotional guide These Days.  This week is when they are in the book, so I thought I would share them here as well.

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Shining Light

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

This is one of those passages that may suffer from overuse. We have heard it so many times before. But then again, maybe we hear it so often because we need to be reminded. Maybe we hide our lights under a bushel or hide ourselves behind walls instead of shining out in the middle of the world?

Jesus knew that he would not be on earth forever. Jesus knew that his message would spread best through direct contact. So Jesus encouraged (and encourages) his friends and followers (including us) to share the light with the world. Jesus calls us to shine out, to be one with the light that shines in the darkness but the darkness can not overcome.

Action Step: Find out what is casting dark shadows in your community. How can the church help provide light that defeats those shadows?

Light of the World, shine in and through me, that none would live in darkness. Amen.