I Am Blessed 3

Matthew 5:14-16

One of my previous jobs was at a research facility in an area north of Cincinnati. The facility was one large, glass and steel building built on the top of a hill. The main corridor which ran from one end of the building to the other, with several turns, was about one mile in length.

There was no missing this building. On clear days the windows of this immense structure reflected the sun. Anyone hoping to find the building simply needed to look because a person could see the building from quite a distance. The image of that building comes to mind when I read today’s passage.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells those listening about what it means to be an obedient believer. He tells those who believe that they have certain abilities. What are the comparisons that he makes to those who are faithful? What command is given?

If we are obedient to the laws of God and the commands of our Lord, if we follow the teachings of Christ, then we will be ambassadors of God. We will show others what God is like through our own behavior and actions.

If we are blessed – and we are! – then we need to let others know that we are blessed. Our joys and gladness in our blessings should be evident to all who see us.

A city that is built on the crest of a hill is not something hidden from sight. Anyone near it will be able to see it and identify its features. Even from quite a distance a city on a hill can be seen.

The same is true of people who are blessed. Our blessings will be evident to anyone who will look at us, and our behavior should exhibit and demonstrate to others how blessed we are.

Like a lamp that is intended to shed light on the surroundings, so we as blessed children of God should let the blessings we have be an illumination to others. We should let our blessings shine out to others. We should live lives that show we are blessed by God.

Jesus commands us to let our light shine – let our blessings be evident – so that others may see the goodness of God. And we are to do this not to shame them or create envy, but to draw others into the kingdom of God. By letting our blessings shine before others, they will be drawn to the Lord to praise Him and to seek blessings in their own lives.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you live so as to let your blessings shine?