The world can seem like a really dark and scary place. The truth is, without God in our lives it is very dark and scary! Everyone around us will try to tell us how we should live, what we should care about, and what we should believe. The problem is that when we listen to what everyone else says, we don’t live up to who God made us to be. We aren’t meant to be part of the darkness. We weren’t made to do all of the same things that the rest of the world does. We were made to be different. We were made to show people God’s love.

The secret is that God made us to show those who live in the darkness His light and love! God has made it pretty clear even from the very beginning with Adam and Eve. We can either follow Him and be with Him, or we are against Him and living in the darkness. There’s not a middle ground and we can’t just ride the fence when it comes to God. We also know that the only way to God is through Jesus! In Jesus’ own words, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

That means in today’s dark world, the only way out of the darkness is through Jesus! He said that! Not only is He the only way, but His way is also the only true way that brings life! The life that He promises shows in two ways. First, while we’re on this earth. If we follow Jesus and His example, our lives will be better and fuller than without Him! And secondly, He promises a life beyond just what we see here on this earth. And if this is all true, there’s the next logical question. How do we help people out of the darkness and usher them towards Jesus?

That’s where YOU come in! Jesus says in Matthew 5:14-16 (yes, you should go read this yourself!) that we are called to be lights. In my mind this is like we’re candles strung along in the darkness showing people the way to Jesus. We are called to be lights in the darkness, and not just that, but to shine bright! 

God made you to be a light in the darkness to the people that are lost. A light and warmth for the people that feel alone and cold. A love that shows the love we have from God. What you were made to do is show people how amazing and loving God is by how you love other people! And even crazier, God made your light very specifically. Only your light will be able to attract and help certain people. Each of us has people in our lives (even if it’s just someone at school we pass in the hallway occasionally) that only we can help guide. It sounds like a lot, I know, but be encouraged that God made you a special light! A special light of God that will show people the way to Jesus through you and what you! So go! Be a light of God and show them the way to THE WAY!

Questions:

• After reading Matthew 5:14-16, what ways do you think you are a light of God to the people around you? What ways do you think you could do better?

Weekly Challenge:

Find 3 people this week and go out of your way to be a light of God to them! Try to find people outside of your normal circles, someone you know or feel like is in the darkness. Go be a light to them! Pray and ask God to give you eyes to see someone, and to put on your heart what they need to feel loved!

Record who you went to, and what you did to be a light to them!