Day 5 — “Shining Light at Work (or School)”

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14–16, ESV)

Christianity didn’t get to where it is today by being hidden, kept secret, or by us believers being shy about our Faith and the Word of God. We’re reminded here that Christianity also grows when people see our good works and that we live a life according to the Gospel.

It’s our duty, responsibility, and obligation to grow closer to God daily, and to live by His Word so that other people who cross our paths get a glimpse at the Light that God casts over us.

Imagine you have a friend that is constantly complaining about how broke they are, how they never have money, how life is unfair… but then they try to help you with your finances. I’m willing to guess that, even if they had a Doctorate Degree in finance, you’d be leary on listening to them.

Or like all the business, self-help, dating, whatever coaches and gurus these days. Most of them preach that they can help their clients reach goals that even they haven’t reached themselves yet.

When I was a Personal Trainer back in 2020, I made sure to set and follow a plan for myself first. I took the things I was learning in my classes for certification, and I implemented them on myself first. Not only just to know what I was selling worked, but to also be my own walking poster board and first success story and testimonial. Due to that, I had an easier time building trust, as well as subtly convincing some people to look into gym memberships and change their habits simply by observing me live my life… I didn’t even talk to them or anything. They just let me know years later that they “seen my change over a few months and decided they needed to try out what I was doing.”. It’s since changed their life, and God knows who else has since seen them and changed their lives too.

If I was a massively overwieght personal trainer that lived on fast food, chain smoked cigarettes, and had no education, I’d say that it’s very unlikely that I would have ever helped anyone, let alone sold anyone on my trainings.

Well Folks….

The same is true about Christianity and following Christ.

We can’t go around proclaiming the Word of God, but then be a bad example of the teachings we learn from Scripture. That just doesn’t make sense. Worse yet, it gives those around you the impression that Christians are “this-or-that”, and if they get reassured of that enough times by enough Christians, they build a prejudice. And, in that example, I’d say it was largely those Christians fault that those prejudices were built to begin with.

Remember to show the Glory of God through your life. We’re not expected to be perfect. Aim for progression over perfection. And trust in God to light the way.

Today’s Focus:

Represent Christ through patience, work ethic, and positive communication.

🙏 Prayer

Dear Gracious God, I thank you for where Christianity is today and that I get to experience it and be part of it. I thank you for casting your light on my life when I was in my dark days and showing me a better way… A way worth sharing with the world. Please continue to fill my life with the warmth of the light of the Holy Spirit and give me the courage and strength to share your word with the world.

Glad to see you today! I hope you enjoyed todays devotional!

✝️ Have a blessed day friend!