Shine! // Matthew 5:16

It’s the first day of school for many of our local students. The first day is always full of a unique array of angst and excitement. New clothes, schools, new friends, new educators, new challenges. As the sun rises on this new academic year, it’s important to remember that Jesus is the Light of the World. Jesus is light and shares it with you so you may shine wherever you are and in whatever you do.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement, encouraged Jesus followers to reflect the image of God to creation. It’s helpful for us to realize that we ourselves aren’t really luminous beings, but we can reflect the light Christ shines. This works similarly to our solar system’s sun and the earth’s moon. The sun shines brightly, yet the moon does not. The light we see from the moon is actually just reflected from the sun. In the Jesus followers’ case, the Son shines and we reflect this Jesus light back to the world. But why? Verse 16 goes on to say that our good deeds are to point people to God and help them glorify the Lord.

It can be tempting to take credit for the goodness we do in the world, but it’s imperative we remember why we do what we do, and for whom we do what we do. It’s all about Jesus and pointing people to Him. So, let’s commit to live accordingly today whether it’s the start of a new school year or just the start of a new month. Don’t hide your unique ability to reflect Jesus light and don’t deprive the world of what we all need so desperately. God is good and asks us to do good in His name, but not for our own benefit; rather for the benefit of all those walking in darkness who need the Great Light.

May we shine in and for Jesus now and forever! Dear Lord, let it be.