“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. As Christians, we are called to not only walk in the light but to be the light for others.
Ephesians 5:8: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord”.
Light is the source of all good things, while darkness represents evil
Proverbs 18-19
Being the light means doing your best to live each day on purpose and in a way that’s pleasing to God.
It means showing kindness and compassion to others and yourself. It’s about looking for opportunities to be more like Jesus, to lift others up, and to do the right thing.
It also means making a mindful effort to make your light shine brighter and help others discover their light.
God is light (John 8:2), and given that He sent the Holy Spirit to live within His believers, so are we if we follow his example.
Throughout the Bible, light has always been a symbol of holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope, and God’s revelation.
God is not just a light or a kind of light; He is light itself. All light comes from Him. At the beginning of time, He created the light to dispel the darkness and chaos over all the earth
Light is meant to:
» Give direction, a blind leader cannot lead other blind
» diffuse, i.e., spread over a wide area or among a large number of people
» contrast,
» brightness
How does Christian light work??
It shines: Like a source of light, it is meant to be seen, not hidden.
It heals: The presence of Christian light can have a healing effect on others, creating a desire for goodness and compassion,
It quickens life: The light of God is a source of life, animating and enlivening it, much like how plants depend on light for photosynthesis.
It provides guidance: Light represents guidance and wisdom, helping people navigate life’s challenges. Psalm 119:105 directly compares God’s word to a lamp and a light, providing immediate and long-term guidance for a person’s daily and lifelong journey.
While the passage doesn’t specify particular types of lights, we can consider various lights that symbolize the impact of our witness:
1. Candle: A gentle, steady light that shines in darkness, symbolizing hope and perseverance. Can be affected by wind and rain
2. Lamp: pressure lamp (ntandikira), A source of guidance and illumination, representing wisdom and understanding. Lazima uongezee mafuta na utambi
3. Beacon and floodlights: A powerful light that shines far and wide, signifying a strong witness that attracts others.
4. Sun: A radiant light that brings warmth and life, symbolizing the transformative power of the Gospel. The sun is natural, and when it smiles all people feel its effect.
5. Electricity: needs a connection, needs a switch, has high costs
6. Moon and stars: when the sun comes, it has no say. It only appears at night, showing season ability of Christians
7. Matchstick, (kinyinga, munao)
8. Torch: you have to press the on/off button, you have to replace the battery, not affected by wind or rain,
WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN BE LIGHT.
1. Focus on Doing Right. Don’t blindly do what the world claims to be right. Do what God’s Word says is right
2. Treat Others as You Want to Be Treated (applying the golden rule)
Be kind and walk in love, treating others as you would like to be treated. Show kindness to everyone around you, even if they don’t do the same.
3. Practice Humility. Eg Jesus washing the disciples’ feet
Be humble, admit when you’re wrong, say sorry, and try to be better next time.
4. Give Thanks, Even During Life’s Challenges
Giving thanks and being grateful, regardless of the circumstances, builds a deeper relationship between you and God and with other people.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Put Yourself Out There
6. Do not waver, do not be swayed away. God expects us to be the light and empowers us to do so. Be firm and formidable in your resolve to follow the Lord in everything you do. Don’t get distracted or waver in your beliefs and stay focused on God and his light. Do not let the wind of those doing wrong carry you
7. Love and trust the Lord. The world will throw so much at you, and Satan will do his best to destroy your light, but don’t let him. You have Jesus, and He is enough.
Conclusion:
1. Keep your light shining
2. Keep illuminating others
3. Keep adding flavour to people’s lives.
4. Keep preserving people as salt does. (son of kaweru kau urinako)