MATTHEW 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

TO PONDER

I remember one night spent in the boat fishing with my Dad. We were in a fairly isolated part of the South East Coast of South Australia. It was a very dark and still night and while my day had all the necessary night time boating equipment that was necessary, there was a point in time when the battery which powered the high powered spotlight that we used to both spot fish on the surface of the water, but also to keep sight of the land and the many reefs and shoals in the area malfunctioned.

For a moment we were in the middle of the ocean and I remember worrying about how easy it would be to get lost on such a dark night with no moon to light things, a dark and overcast night sky where not even the stars were visible, no real sense of direction from waves or swell because everything was so calm. You could take of in any direction and not really know if you were heading to shore or further out to sea.

We sat like this for a moment while my dad pulled out a much smaller and weaker torch to help him see as he tinkered with the connections on the battery to try and get things working again, to no avail. We grabbed to other smaller battery powered torches out from the front of the boat and began a very slow and careful trip back to shore because even the navigational safety lights to help other boats know which direction you were heading in the dark had gone out.

I trusted my dad to get us back, but I was greatly relieved when a car pulled up on the beach and we could see its headlights shining out in our direction. I knew we now had something to guide us to where we needed to be. The people in the car that night (who turned out to be fisheries officers who were a bit suspicious of the low powered lights flashing around out in the middle of the ocean) didn't know how glad I was to see them but their arrival was something I was certainly glad for.

Our lives can be like those headlights on the shore for people who have lost their bearings in life. When they see the light of Jesus in us, it can give them something to cling to, to follow, to guide them back to the safety and love of their Saviour who does not want them to feel lost or afraid, but wants to use us to draw them to himself.

So, let your light shine!

PRAYER: Saviour Jesus, thank you that you are the light of the world and that you have placed the light of faith in us that we might be used by you to call people out of the darkness and into you marvellous light. Please help me to let my light shine before others so they may glorify you. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.