Let 'em see the light!

Day 2 Casper Serve Devotions:

Let 'em see the light!

Mat 5:14-16  "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  (15)  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  (16)  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

This passage is quoted from what is commonly called Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount."  In the same sermon Jesus would later say this Mat 6:1  "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

He is warning in chapter six against the danger of giving, praying, or fasting in such a way as to elevate others view of us.  If we do these things we might receive the reward of their respect and such but will miss the heavenly reward and they will miss the heavenly blessing.  Sure, recognition feels good and it is gratifying to have our sacrifice noticed and appreciated.  Yet we are a peculiar people.  We are a people who labor as unto the Lord.  We are not seeking the applause and approval of others. We seek the reward that awaits us, the reward that the good Lord deems us worthy of, in Him.

This does not mean we must not be seen serving, giving, praying, or fasting.  It means we must do these things in such a way that people who are watching us are not so much impressed with us as they are with the God we are serving.  The Lord shines in the life of his people, not just to enlighten them, but through them to shine his light into this dark world.

Let us labor today with a recognition that we are pointing to the Lord in this labor.  Let us point every praise past ourselves to the God whom we serve.  Look at that crew your working with and look past them to the God who brought them

to work shoulder to shoulder with you today.  Let their faithfulness bring you even in this moment to appreciate and worship the Lord.  Labor this afternoon in such a way as to help them look right past you to the glorious Lord. 

Remember "If you Believe, you will see…"