“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:14-16, MSG)
The sun rises and sets every day, but how often do we acknowledge its existence? We are too busy to even enjoy it. This doesn’t stop the sun from shining, however, even during heavy thunder storms.
If we took the time to enjoy it, we would feel its grace through its warmth and through the light it conveys. Also it isn’t limited to blessing only one human, or even a special group of humans. All humans can experience it.
Not everyone experiences it in the same way, however. Wherever we live, we will have a different aspect of the sun. For example, while in France around noon, I may perceive the sun piercing its rays around the clouds, beautifying the region I find myself in. Meanwhile in Eastern North America, six hours earlier, the sun is just rising, welcoming a sleepy population to a brand new day. In New Zealand, however, which is ten hours ahead of France in the summer time, it is ten o’clock in the evening. The sun has already set and the inhabitants of that country can only savor the memories of the day.
Each one of us, no matter where we are, experience certain aspects of the sun. The more we bathe in its presence, the more we enjoy it. Imagine if the sun would stop shining. How would we feel? Would there even be life on earth after a few years?
What would happen if all Christians stopped shining like they should? Would the world still be able to savor “God-colors in the world”? After all, colors are hard to perceive in darkness!
According to our Heavenly Father, we should be shining from a hilltop, so that everyone can start perceiving the grace our Father bestows upon us. Are we willing to do so? The sun does, why shouldn’t we?
Rob Chaffart
(To access the entire “Majestic Mountain View” devotional series, please click here.)