Words from the Rock
No one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:15–16 CEV
Light is such a great metaphor for how God works. It’s no surprise that the Bible uses it over and over. But in these two verses, when Jesus speaks of light, he’s bringing it to a whole new level. He’s talking about lighting up the home. He starts out by saying that we wouldn’t turn on a table lamp, then throw a tarp over it. That would be pretty dumb—not to mention “ungreen” and unsafe.
Jesus is saying that when we’re in our homes and living our everyday lives, we still need to let our light shine. We still need to remain connected to him and to have his energy flowing through us, because he wants our families, relatives, and close friends to see his light too.
Okay, to be fair, sometimes home is the hardest place to let our light shine. It’s easy to want to conceal what God is doing in our lives when we’re around parents or siblings—people who have seen the very worst of us, people who might even make fun of us or question our beliefs. But Jesus makes it very clear that he wants us to shine around our family just as much as we shine around others. And he sums it up by saying that when we let our light shine in our homes, the loved ones around us will eventually turn their eyes to God. And, really, what could be better than that?
My Prayer
Dear God,
I confess that sometimes I feel like hiding my faith when I’m at home. And I confess that it’s my own family that often brings out the worst in me. Please help me be connected to you, my power source, so I can shine your light in my home. And help those around me see that it’s you providing the power!
Amen.
Final Word
Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you.
Matthew 10:27 CEV
Stone for the Journey
I won’t hide what God is doing in my life.