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Let Your Light Shine
by Poppy Smith
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Christmas is the season of lights—strung on trees, hung on rooftops, shining in shopping malls, and blinking in neighbor’s windows. Lights and candles add a special magic to the season, but have you ever thought that you and I are to shine also? In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said to us,
“Let YOUR light shine before men, that they may see YOUR good deeds
and praise YOUR Father in heaven.”
Most of us believe in being humble and modest about any good deeds we might do. In fact, we try not to let others know because we want God to get the praise and thanks, not us. BUT, Jesus says we are to let our good deeds be seen, not with the intention of being praised by others, but so they will recognize where our motivation and love comes from—our Father in heaven.
Let me encourage you to think about how you can let your light shine during this special time of the year (and beyond it, of course). How about:
- Carry some cookies or fruit in your car or handbag and give it to someone looking for a handout by the freeway or on the streets. Give them a sincere, “May God bless you” as you look them in the face and smile.
- Take time to write a handwritten note of appreciation to someone at work.
- Phone a relative or friend you rarely talk to and tell them you’re glad to hear their voice.
- Let your family know that you have donated to a Christian charity in lieu of buying excessive gifts—they might be thrilled to have helped provide a cow or a well to poverty-stricken people!
- Take a gift of fruit or chocolates to your church office with a note of gratitude for their ministry.
There are many more ways to let your light shine—write and let me know of some good deeds YOU have done and let’s glorify our Father in heaven together. Your ideas can help all of us show what a practical difference God’s love makes in our lives.
Copyright 2008 - Poppy Smith. All rights reserved.
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