What is it that makes a person shine?
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5v14
This statement is a fact. We ARE the light of the world.
From the context, we are light through living the Beatitudes. We are blessed and people experience God’s blessing through us because we come to God as poor in spirit asking for his help or because we are being merciful, or …
Paul puts it this way,
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing glory is from God and not from us.”
2 Corinthians 4v7
The light is not often heroic figures having victories but hurting people graciously pressing on through Jesus. The light is the quality of Jesus’ love and mercy taking the place of anger and selfishness.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5v16
Given such circumstances, letting our light shine is a challenge. People will see the brokenness of my life but only then can they understand the grace of God shining through it.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5v15
It is the Father who takes the initiative to put us on a stand. I might recoil in embarrassment. Am I willing to allow him to put me there?
Are you?