Bible Challenge Day 5

Genesis 13-15, Psalm 5, Matthew 5

This little light of mine.
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine.
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, shine, shine.  Let it shine.

"You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  no one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house."  (Matthew 5 14-15)

What a terrifying verse!  We're supposed to live in way that 1.) Pleases God,  2.) Is visible to everyone, and 3.) "gives light" to the whole world.  That's a lot of pressure.  I was talking about church at work today, and one of my co-workers said she was stunned to hear I was religious.  I was stunned to hear that she was stunned.  Am I living in such a way as to make others think I'm not a Christian?  I suppose she meant it as a compliment (what does that say for public opinion of the church?), but it actually frightened me.  Here in his "Sermon on the Mount" Jesus tells us we are to be an example to the world.  Further, our example should fill the world with light.  Light can mean so much in Biblical terms.  Jesus is called the light of the world.  We know the first thing God created was light.  Light can mean knowledge or enlightenment...  I read this as our lives should show forth the example of the Christian light and further give comfort and hope to the world.  People shouldn't look at us and say, "oooh, scary Christian!", but should look at us and say, "Praise God that there are people following Him and making this world a better place."

Hide it under a bushel?  No!  I'm gonna let it shine!