Pastor Ben’s Ponderings

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
(Matthew 5:14)

A friend once shared with me that he had become very discouraged with where his family of 4 was presently living. The once pleasant section of town in which they called home had over the years become rundown and unsafe and undesirable for parents raising children. He expressed their desire to move but could not find suitable housing in a better place that would fit into their budget.

The family who had once lived across the street from them had already moved to a new place. One evening that family came back to the neighborhood to visit my friend. They expressed to him simply, “We want you to know that watching the lives of you, your wife and family over these last years that we lived across from you made a great impression on us and today we are involved in a church and serving Christ. Thank you!”
My friend said, “At times we’ve been a little afraid living there, but God encouraged us through those folks, and seemed to say, ‘It’s alright. You have served me right here where you are.’”

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Light functions in virtue of what it is. Our light is not our good deeds, but the means by which people see that they are good. This verse stresses character rather than works. My friend possibly had not had that much verbal contact with the neighbors across the street, but the light shining on him and his family had evidently become a beacon that reached others.

Where are you in your life right now? Do you have the light of the Word residing in you? You don’t have to change jobs or locations to be a beacon for the Lord.