The Winchester Sun: Winchester, KY

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Oh, let your light shine
By The Rev. Al Early
February 19, 2010

I love Jesus’ challenge in Matthew 5:16. He says, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

What does it mean for Jesus Christ to tell his disciples, which include you and me, that we are the light of the world? If we consider the source, we can see that it is a great compliment. For Jesus is the light that shatters the darkness. His life conquers death. His resurrection gives us the victory over the power of evil. And he calls us lights. That means we are special, and that God’s goodness can shine in and through us.

For some, it is easy to understand Jesus’ compliment. You’ve been raised to believe in yourselves, your gifts, and your abilities. For the most part, you reflect with joy and satisfaction on what you have done with life and the possibilities that await you. When you hear these words, “In Christ you are lights of the world,” you believe that God has plans for your life.

But for others, hearing you are a light to the world and believing you can be a light are two different things. I know there are people who look in the mirror and say, “Yuch!” — or don’t look in the mirror at all. Most of us can remember a time when we stood there, saw the reflection, and tried to smile. Then we saw the wrinkles and gray, the big nose, blood-shot eyes, or whatever, and we wanted to say, “I don’t like you.”

I remember standing in front of the mirror as a teenager, and getting my first pimple. I dreaded looking in the mirror, because the pimples came with regularity.

One day, in frustration, I shouted at the image looking back at me, “You’re ugly … and short too!” just for emphasis. I was lucky because my parents refused to let me define myself by my pimples and height. They always encouraged me, and reminded me I had been blessed by God with talents that I must use to God’s glory. But many of you, I fear, know the heartache of being told you’re dumb, ugly, fat, tone deaf and other derogatory remarks, until you begin to believe those perceived flaws are real.

A Scoutmaster friend told me of one of his Scouts who had a speech impediment and was an average student. Whenever he tried to do something, his dad would say, “You’re just a dummy.”

The young Scout believed his dad, as some will do, whether dads are right or not, and often said, “I can’t do it.”

The Scoutmaster continually encouraged him, saying, “If I can do it, you can do it.” And then they would do the projects together successfully. The young Scout did something wonderful. He came back to his Scoutmaster and told him how he had gotten through college and was about to finish graduate school as an engineer. He told how many times he had almost quit, but then he would remember his scoutmaster’s encouraging words, “If I can do it, you can do it,” and continue on.

What are your perceived flaws? Can you turn them over to God and celebrate the way God has made you?

Do you believe that God doesn’t make junk? Do you believe that each of us is designed by God exactly as he has chosen to serve in just the ways God has planned for our lives?

Have you ever noticed that for most people their greatest ministries rise up out of their greatest challenges or weaknesses?

Are you a very encouraging person? When was the last time you encouraged someone? Is there someone you can encourage?

Sometimes we need only one person to believe in us, to convince us to believe in ourselves. That one person can always be Jesus, who calls us “Lights of the world.” That love can help us break free from the bonds of the past that keep us from shining for all to see. So look for ways you can let your light shine, that others may see your good works and give glory to God.

Editor’s note: The Rev. Al Earley is an ordained minister and a religion columnist for The Oldham Era. Should the Sun make this a regular feature on our religion page? Let us know what you think. E-mail Managing Editor Randy Patrick at rpatrick@winchestersun.com or call 355-1222.

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