"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14
As Christians, we are the light of this world. My flame has danced and flickered in the storm. It’s gotten stronger through the winds and torrential downpours. But, mostly, it just stays steady, rarely faltering, rarely growing.
Until now. I’ve learned something these past two weeks that has turned my life on its head and has altered my perception about absolutely everything. It’s a secret that remained hidden my entire lifetime and now I can’t wait to let the world know…
IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!! Hallelujah and praise You, Jesus! This world is not about ME.
Focusing on ME and MY problems and MY insecurities led to pit after lonely pit. Two weeks ago, I discovered that by focusing on God and what He desires for my life led to an overwhelming sense of contentment and satisfaction. I prayed and listened for what He wanted me to do, and where He wanted me to go. My daily conversations with myself shifted from ME to OTHERS.
ME - I shouldn’t have eaten all those carbs.
OTHERS - 20,000 children died today from hunger and preventable diseases.
ME - I don’t have anything to wear.
OTHERS - 3.5 million people, 1.35 million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness this year.
ME - I am so bored with my hair.
OTHERS - More than 600 women will be raped today.
ME - I only worked out an hour today.
OTHERS - Nearly 200,000 Indonesian children were sold into slavery this year alone.
ME - I despise my car!
OTHERS - 300,000 elderly Americans are living without communication with family members and will die alone.
ME – I really need new shoes
OTHERS – More than 500,000 Americans will die of cancer this year.
Me versus others. There really isn’t a doubt where my light is suffocated and where my light can shine. There are so many areas to help. Start a coat drive at a school, visit a nursing home, help feed the homeless, become a rape counselor, ‘adopt’ a child overseas for $38 a month, mentor a foster child, volunteer in the children’s ward of a hospital. And that’s my dare for you. Pray. Pray about where God wants you to place your focus and then pray for a passion that will set this world on fire.
The truth is that I can’t change this world. But He can. Let’s do this together and watch as our lights blend and chase out darkness.
Let’s let our lights shine! And start an inferno.
