Shine



“Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ASV)

One command that is very clear is that we are to serve God with all that we are. In fact, evidence of a true change in the life of a believer is the existence of fruit in their lives and the ability for the person to love one another (John15/ John 13:34-35). What I have noticed, and this is not a new thing, is that many believers out there take the Gospel message that they have received, believe it, accept it, but then do nothing with it. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes a very clear statement that because we are the light of the world and, in the same way, we must also shine.

A story is told of a man whose job was to be on the railroad tracks and warn with his light the upcoming train of the bridge that had been damaged. That night as the train came the man showed his lamp but the train went right into the ditch. The man was taken to court because they wanted to know why the train did not pay attention to this man who was to warn the train of the danger ahead. The man was asked, “Were you on duty the night that the train had the accident” the judge asked. The man replied, “Yes sir” the judge once again asked did you have your lamp with you? The man replied, “Yes sir,” the judge asked the last question did you wave your lamp to the train? The man replied, “Yes sir” so the man was not held responsible. Later as the man went home he told his friend, “I am glad that the judge did not ask me if my lamp was on”

While the first portion of the verse may cause us great joy and excitement that we are the light of the world, the second half is humbling. It reminds us that all glory and all honor is not our own, but our Father’s. It is too easy to get puffed up and proud at what “we” have done on our own. But if I may give you some words to remember in those moments of pride that have helped me keep myself in check, they would be this: “Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us;, our competence is from God.” (2 Cor 13:5) I have learned to lean on God daily and to glean wisdom daily from the source of truth and can attest that with God I am greater and with Him I am able to do His will and to shine my light and to do good works so that He may be glorified. So I ask you, will you shine with me? Let our voices be heard.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
- Martin Nemueller
WOD:
For time:
10->1 reps of:
Pull-ups
Clean (135#)
.....followed by.....
1->10 reps of
Handstand Push-ups
Burpees

Time to beat: 18 minutes

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