YE ARE ILLUMINATIONS TO THE WORLD

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp (candle) and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house, in the same way let your good deeds (light) shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.  (Mathew 5: 14-16).

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rom the inception, Light was designed to make positive impact in life. It is designed as value carrier. This was established in the creation story as recorded in Genesis chapter 1 verses 1-3.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” (KJV)

The entrance of light brings in shout of jubilation, solution, joy and good life. This explained the situation when you were born. There was jubilation like a light born into the family, but greater jubilation when you were born again, because then you were born as the light of the world. This underscore the relevance of the paradigm of light used by Jesus Christ to depict the purpose of our creation.  So that you and I will not live wasted lives.

             Everyman is created for a unique assignment by God.  Born for a purpose, the purpose is of God and for God. You are born to be distinct, born to be known for something, born for excellence, designed to make impact.  You are born at the right time at the right place for a right purpose. That is why Jesus called you light, because you are value carrier; carrying spiritual, physical and intellectual values 

             The parable of the salt and light according to Matt 5: 13-14, presents you as influence on your society.  As a light you are not created for yourself but for influence.  You are not created to blend in but to stand out.  You are not created to be a consumer only but to be a producer. The life of a light is not of selfishness; else it will have no influence.  The impact of light is in the solution it gives to others – an impact making life.  No one lights candle and hide it under the basket. Your impacts are appreciated by what you give to your society, the value you carry.  Therefore, you must be value-based because you were born to be known for something this is the impact living.

Who then is the Source of the Light? God is light, and He is the source of light, through His son Jesus Christ who is called the Bright and Morning Star (John 1:5, Revelation 22:16. He is the star that shines by the day; no other star shines by the day except in the night. The Holy Spirit is the fuel that empowers our light.  Your relationship with the trinity will make you the light you need to become shining. The Holy Spirit in you will create the fuel your light needs to shine.  Remember the ten (10) virgins with lamp, those with oil and those without oil. The dilemma of light without adequate connection to its source is better explained with the virgins without oil. They lack the capacity to shine when it matters most. Living in the old glory or no glory at all is a sorry state. Such person lives a vulnerable life. If you find yourself is such situation you are not living the potential, you are created for. You need to link up with the source of light, as you connect with him your star will shine during night and day, 

There are different types of Light, and each of these has its various capacity according to the dictate of the manufacturer or the producer. Paul the Apostle told us the capacity of Sunlight, Moonlight and Starlight. He even distinguished the stars among themselves (1 Corinthians 15:41),. We also have in our today world Candle Light, Torch light, energy saving light among others. All these lights have capacity to shine, but their brightness is a function of the level of capacity they possess. This level is also a function of their manufacturer or purpose for their creation. So also our lights. What I carry is not what you carry, whatsoever I carry I have determined that this little light of mine I will make it shine.  I will not be envious of yours; I will make my light shine. Remember, Jesus said, “…in the same way let your light shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father … “

             However, you and I are created with the capacity to increase our level of shininess. Your capacity can only be limited by your response ability.  Jesus said “Don’t hide your light, let it shine for all, let your good deeds glow for all to see so that they will praise your father in heaven…”( Mathew 5 15-16).  Paul told Timothy, “Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”(1Timothy 4:12).

Action points on how you can be a Light to make Impacts

a.       Know What You Carry: You are a value carrier, you carry good works, you have potentials to do good and good works border on the fruits of the spirit.

b.       Know your life’s Purpose because purpose precedes production! Purpose is the first key to impact making.  You need to know why you are on planet earth to be an asset to humanity.

c.        Develop Vision (Dream) and Mission for your life

d.       Enlarge your capacity. We are in a generation of laziness, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Contracting and outsourcing every part of life, prayer and fasting, emotions, examinations among others. This has negatively affected our zeal for self-development.  If you will shine for the Lord you must not limit his grace in your lives, you therefore need to enlarge your capacity and give yourselves to continuous development.

e.       Always Find a need and meet it then you will be relevant, and be impactful.

f.         Mind your Association so that your light will not be quenched.(Psalm 1)

g.       Stay close to the source of light. Stay tuned to your God, remember always to put oil in your lamp

h.       Strive for Excellence: You are a special light, when others are sitting, you will stand, when they are standing you will stand out, when they are standing out you will be outstanding.

i.         The Lord will help your light to radiate everywhere. Amen

                                                                                                                                      Seyi Osuntayo

                                                                                                            (Minister and Columnist: LAWNA news)