11.30

Don't Hide Your Light (God & Dawn)

Matthew 5:1, 14-16

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down,
his disciples came to him.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 
15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, 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 in heaven.

Watch Jesus in these stories. When he sees a need (in this case, the crowd coming to be taught and healed), he goes up the mountain, sits down and begins to teach. 

Did you notice what he does? Jesus creates an outdoor classroom. He leverages his landscape and takes higher ground so everyone can see. 

With his movement, he models the very thing he preaches. “People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.” 

I wonder if in the moments before Jesus hiked up the mountain, if he thought about hiding his light? Did he get nervous that his voice wouldn’t carry? Was he anxious about being seen? Jesus knows we struggle with these things. 

Know today that when a need comes your way, and you are able to meet it, Jesus wants you to leverage your landscape and bolster your light. The world needs it. 

—Dawn Hyde