Light Isn't Loud!

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:14-16 

 

 

When I was in the Army, we had to sing cadence and we were expected to sing it LOUD!  As a matter of fact...about 90% of everything we did was LOUD! Especially sleeping which sounded like a cave full of hibernating Grizzlies.

 

When I was growing up, I remember hearing pastors preach (yell, brow beat, shout) sermons reminding us (hammering with much guilt) that we should ALWAYS announce to the world that we are believers and that if we don't then the world won't know and cannot become enlightened.  I will admit, the guilt weighed very heavily on me being that I was painfully introverted.  I struggled with this for years.

 

Let me ask you something: When was the list time you turned on the lights and you heard: "I AM LIGHT AND I AM BRIGHT AND I AM HERE TO ILLUMINATE YOUR WORLD!"  While it's true some cars will remind you that "lights are on" should you forget to turn the headlights off before exiting the vehicle.  I have never heard even so much as a flashlight announce itself to the world.  EVER!

 

Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world.  But He didn't tell us we have to go around announcing it.  Because here's the thing about light....it can be seen in the darkness without anything being said.  Jesus reminds us to let our good deeds shine out for all to see, He doesn't tell us to go around proclaiming: "LOOK HOW AWESOME I AM FOR DOING ALL THESE GOOD THINGS!"

 

This is why I love the quote accredited to St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel every day!  And if you must, use words."