You Are the Light of the World

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Jesus makes a powerful analogy here, directly telling us that we are the light of the world. What world are we talking about? The Earth – the life we are living today!

Finding Your Purpose

I want to address something that weighs heavily on many hearts: the question of purpose. Each and every individual in this world has their refined purpose, defined by God before their existence.

Recently, Charlie Kirk passed on and his famous words resurfaced: “All death can do to a believer is deliver him to Jesus.” The idea here is that when we die as Christians, we meet with Christ. Now I don’t want to dwell too much on what happens after death – this is a journey I am still researching and I am yet to come to a conclusion.

But let’s say this is true. Dying brings us closer to Christ, which is honestly what I really believe. So why then would God still keep us here on Earth? I mean, it’s way better to be with the Lord, right?

This question sparked a lot of curiosity in me and really made me confident that I HAVE A PURPOSE HERE ON EARTH.

The Light Bulb Analogy

Going back to my opening scripture – “You are the light of the world.” Let’s take the analogy of a light bulb in a room. A house divided into bedrooms will each have a light bulb responsible for the illumination of that room. If in a room, a specific light bulb malfunctions, then that room remains dark.

As individuals, we occupy various spaces and in those spaces, we are meant to be ‘light bulbs’, illuminating our environments. Your purpose is to bring light to the spaces that you fill.

So how do you become this light? By being your truest self!

My Personal Journey

I am Johnson, a leader in the spaces that I occupy. God has called me to bring people close to Him in many ways, and one of the most effective ways is through my Bible Study group. I am constantly driving programs in the city of Durban to encourage people to come to Christ.

This all started as a strong desire and passion inside of me. Yes, I faced a lot of challenges such as doubt, fear, inexperience and more. None of those stopped me. I pursued the calling and the light inside of me that was meant to bring change and positive impact to the world.

Now, the spaces that I fill have the light I was meant to be.

What Blocks Our Light?

In this same scripture, Jesus mentions that nobody lights up a lamp and puts it under a bowl – meaning nobody covers the light. And if somebody did, the light would not function.

Here are three things that stop lights from shining or serving their purpose:

1. Coverings or Blockages

If I physically block the light, it will not provide illumination. Often there are things that try to dim our light – this could be people who speak against us and try to put us down, or circumstances of life itself. Notice how depression has a dark connotation to it, but freedom has a sense of brightness?

2. A Fault in the Bulb Itself

Our physical bodies are containers or carriers of this light. We need to take care of them. Eat well, sweat a little bit, take baths and look after yourself. Avoid unnecessary injuries and pains. Furthermore, scripturally, we are called to live holy lives, not offering ourselves to sexual immorality and drunkenness. These practices will ensure that we are capable of shedding the light as we are designed to.

3. Disconnection from the Source

Most importantly, using John 15:5 – disconnection from the source will definitely be a problem. We are children of God; we need to abide in Him. This is through salvation. I believe the true purpose of a human being is found through salvation. The beginning of this journey brings such illumination to a human being.

Thereafter, we must align ourselves with activities that keep us closer to the choice of salvation. Be in church, read your Bible, sing songs of worship, love people. BE with Christ and like Christ to all people.

Jesus tells His disciples in John 15:1-5 that without Him, they can do nothing – absolutely nothing. This is what it means to be disconnected from the source, which is God, which is Christ.

A Call to Salvation

So to conclude my thoughts: If you feel lost, without purpose, without direction, I encourage you to take the first step in accepting Christ Jesus. You have a unique light to shine in this world, and the spaces you occupy are waiting for the illumination that only you can provide.

Remember – you are the light of the world. Don’t hide it under a bowl. Let it shine!