Command 4 : Let Your Light Shine | Day 22

Comprehend Light!

There are two vital qualities about light which, if understood, will have a major impact on daily success. They are introduced in Christ's fourth command.

Command Four: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

In order to comprehend these two qualities, we must understand the sequence by which light came into the world. The first mention of light is found in Genesis. Darkness covered the earth, but then God spoke, "Let there be light." However, the darkness did not receive the light. Thus, God separated the light from darkness. The light He called day, and the darkness He called night. (See Genesis 1:3-5.)

The second, parallel account is found in the Gospel of John, which appropriately begins with the same words of Genesis 1:1: "in the beginning." John also speaks of darkness upon the earth and how all things were made by Christ, Who is the Creator and the Light. He then reveals that this is "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (See John 1:1-9.) There is a correlation between the first quality of light and love that needs to be emphasized.

Light does not choose whom it will benefit and neither does love. Every person is loved by God and should be loved by us. Therefore, everyone we meet should see God's light and love in us.

"Selective love" leads to failure. Jesus reminds us that God causes the sun to shine on the just and the unjust. If we "brighten up" only when we meet our friends, we are no better than sinners, because they do the same. (See Matthew 5:46-47.)

One day I was at a wedding reception and noticed a couple sitting alone across the room. I experienced a sudden prompting to go over and greet them; however, I reasoned with myself that I did not know them. The thought persisted until I finally walked over and got acquainted.

When I asked what type of work the man did, he stated, "I am the city attorney." When I inquired about his current projects, he said, "Tomorrow we are taking final steps to demolish a county facility." Then his eyes brightened up, and he exclaimed, "Say, why don't we give this property to your organization?!" I quickly responded, "We will accept it!" That is how we received a beautiful 375,000 sq. ft. children's home on 25 acres of country property from the city of Indianapolis at a cost of one dollar!

How much have we failed to receive because we "shine" only to the people we know? Let's purpose that starting today we will brighten up to everyone we meet.