Matthew 5:16

“Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’”

Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

Let’s look at the context of the verse first and answer a few key questions.

Who wrote it? Matthew

When was it written? Between AD 60 and 65

To whom was it written? Primarily Jews

For what purpose?  To prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed and promised eternal King

So many people suffering and I am so thankful that my family are safe and we had no extensive damage to our home or yard.

Yesterday, I stood in line for most of the day to secure a generator.  I have a lot of meat in my freezer and we didn’t want to lose it all…so I waited patiently to hopefully secure one from our local hardware store.  They had five available and I was number four in line!  I ended up having to pay for the generator and then come back several hours later to pick it up because they were waiting on the truck to come in.  In all my 43 years, I have never experienced anything like what is happening in our community.

As I was standing in line yesterday between a lineman who had been working for over 40 hours straight and came to stand in line to try to get a generator for his family and a man in a wheelchair who was hit by a distracted driver ten years ago that left him paralyzed, I couldn’t help but be reminded of this week’s verse:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

We talked about everything under the sun in those three hours.  Our kids, our jobs, the hurricane, politics, our faith.  We got a little frustrated at times, but we also talked about our faith and the condition of this world.  I know that God doesn’t make mistakes and I always look at the people and places God puts me…’cause it’s for a reason.  
I didn’t exactly know these people on a personal level, but I had an opportunity for them to know what I stood for and Who I stood for!  

-We laughed and joked around at a time that should have been filed with darkness.
-We talked about how blessed we were in the midst of so much tragedy and devastation around us.
-I listened to testimonies and stories of how God showed up in their lives.

I pray I was able to be a reflection of Christ in that line outside the hardware store.  I pray that as I was standing there getting a generator that would give us the ability to have light in our home, those people seen The Light of Christ within me.
I pray they seen a glimpse of Jesus in me.

Shine His light always.
You never know who needs to see Him in this dark world.

Written by: Ashlee Canipe from Paint It Up

Ashlee is not only a super-talented writer, but an artist as well. She sells her artwork on her website. I love supporting other small businesses!!