Have you ever gone and looked at Christmas Lights in your neighborhood? That is one of my favorite things to do during Christmas time. There is something about Christmas Lights that inspires me. They are so beautiful and intriguing. They have a way of drawing you in and creating a sense of warmth and a calming effect.
The opposite is true of a flashlight or flood light brightly shining in your face. My first response is, "Dude. Shut it off. Quit shining that in my face. It is blinding me."
I have been preaching through a series on the Sermon on the Mount. I just preached a sermon on being Salt and Light. Today, I want to focus on specifically the LIGHT Metaphor.
In Matthew 5: 14-16 Jesus says...
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.
Unfortunately, too many Christians are like flashlights or flood lights rather than Christmas Lights.
Too many Christians are flamboyant in their faith and are up in your face to the point where it blinds people and causes them to be turned off by the message.
If Christians acted more like Christmas Lights, where we had an effect on people that drew them in to your story and life, more people may listen to the message.
I am not saying there is never a time or purpose for flashlights and flood lights, but they are for a task, where as Christmas Lights convey something completely different. Christmas Lights tell a story and spark in us a sense of intrigue and wonder.
When we share Jesus with people and live out our faith as "light of the world," let's be more like Christmas Lights. Let's take time to interact with people and hear their story. Let your shine in such a way that brings Glory to God, not yourself. Let's shine in a way that points people to God rather than drives them away.
Jesus said we are the light of the world. Let's shine in a way that inspires people to want to follow Jesus.