Are You Shining Your Light into This World?

January 16, 2023

By Brooke Holt

Isaiah 49:6: “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Have you ever been asked to do something that just didn’t seem to make sense to you? There were many times growing up that my parents’ instructions simply did not seem logical to my teenage mind. Yet, in retrospect, I can see they were right. Hopefully, I listened and heeded their thoughtful advice. The children of God were not much different than me.

Something that simply didn’t not compute with the nation of Israel was they were chosen by God to be his special people. He put his love upon them though they had done nothing to deserve it. The Lord guided them, intervened on their behalf, fought for them, and lavished his blessings upon them. He did these things not simply so that Israel would be blessed but that they would be a blessing to others.

Sadly, the Israelites wanted to stop with the blessed part. They did not comprehend that in receiving the light of God’s revelation, love, and grace, they were to display that light to all the nations. Why? So that those nations would see that Israel’s God was the true God and they would be drawn to worship this one true God. The Lord’s salvation would begin with Israel but then extend to other nations.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of this call of the Lord upon Israel: “I will make you as a light for the nations” (Isaiah 49:6). The Lord longed to stir the hearts of his people to faithfulness, witness, and the evangelism of the world. Just as Isaiah called the nation of Israel to be a light to the nations, so today God calls you to be a light in the darkness. You do so by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. One of the greatest opportunities to share this good news is through your own testimony. How has God’s light shined into your life; how has he saved you and transformed you?

People are desperate to see light in this dark world; it can feel so hopeless and overwhelming. Will you allow the Lord to make you a light for the nations? Are you willing to allow your life to be transformed so that the life and hope of Jesus is more clearly seen? Are you willing to share your salvation story, your call from darkness to light?

God’s salvation will go to the ends of the earth. The Lord would like you and me to be part of that mission.

Reflection:

Take some time today to think through who shared the Gospel with you. Whose life inspired you or revealed the light of Christ to you? Who can you share the Gospel with this week? Who can you inspire by letting God’s light shine through you? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

The Crucified Life small group Christian study is designed to reflect upon the Seven Last Words of Christ from the cross and what they mean for us today. Walk the road of Calvary with Jesus in order to grow closer to Him. The Crucified Life small group study examines human suffering as it is mirrored in Christ’s suffering on the cross and what His seven last words say to a hurting world. Find out incredible insights into these words as Jesus teaches us, even in death, how we can use our suffering and triumph over it for His glory. Begin your Crucified Life today.

Waters of Baptism