Let Your Light Shine
by Andy Cokayne 29 March 2022
Reading - Philippians 2 v 12-15
Karen and I enjoy holidaying in Northumberland, occasionally we visit the church at Bamburgh where Grace Darling is buried. With it being an older church there are several stained glass windows, including one dedicated to one of the saints the church is named after, St Aidan. Although the interior of the church is often quite dark, when the sun gets in a certain position, the picture in the window stands out well, and you are able to appreciate the art and skill used.
On reading Godfrey Nicholson's book 'Portraits of The Master'. One of the subjects he mentions in the book is that of Jesus as 'The Light of the World'. In the chapter he relates the following story. A child was asked in Sunday School who the saints are. Thinking of the stained glass windows, she replied that saints are the people the light shines through. This reminded me of the window at Bamburgh church. Paul told the Philippians to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." (Philippians 2 v12-15)
Jesus is the Light of the world, and he calls us to follow his example, and for us to shine as lights in this world. So when we are tempted to bemoan the situation we are in, or someone else's lack of thought, remember that we are children of the light, we are not to grumble. We are to consider carefully what we say, and how we act and react. It is often in the moments when we feel at our lowest, that people look at us to see our action or reaction. We may be the only bible that others read. Do our lives speak of a living God, who is full of light, who is generous, merciful, encouraging, self giving, and not self seeking? Paul reminds us that "We are to shine as lights in this world." Jesus expressed the same sentiment, but in different words "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven." (Matthew 5 v16). May we shine as lights, as Paul encouraged, and as Jesus showed.
Hymn - Let your light shine
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Prayer
Heavenly Father enable us to let our light shine, that others may see something of you in us, and so bring glory to you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen