“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 MSG
And so let your light shine…. Jesus has been telling us how to pray, not like the pharisees, but in secret. In contrast Jesus says, let your light shine.
The matter comes down to publicity. The pharisees wanted to be seen to be able to pray big holy prayers and their motive was to be publicly praised. But when you choose to be light, it is not your own but Gods, the publicity is all God’s. You are winning people to him, the giver of light and of light.
“No good work is done anywhere without aid from the Father of Lights.” – C. S. Lewis
You are the peace of all things calm
You are the place to hide from harm
You are the light that shines in dark
You are the heart’s eternal spark
You are the door that’s open wide
You are the guest who waits inside
You are the stranger at the door
You are the calling of the poor
You are my Lord and with me from ill
You are the light, the truth, the way
You are my Saviour this very day. Amen