Day 4 - Going Public

Day 4: Going Public

  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 put 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!
  
  Matt 5:14-15 (MSG)

2020 hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

We all had high hopes for a year of celebrations, holidays, new opportunities, growing ministries and community activities. Now, all I feel like doing is hiding under the covers until the world goes back to ‘normal’.

But as we read yesterday, hiding isn't an option.

It is often in the unexpected that God asks us to partner with Him.

In the darkest, most hopeless seasons, He provides unique opportunities for us to be salt and light.

Turn Up Your Sparkle

We're going public, grabbing the tiniest glimmer of goodness with both hands and magnifying it to light up the darkness.

Even when the world seems to be turning upside down, and everything in the news is screaming, “Disaster! Despair!”, it’s up to us to look for where God is working and reflect His light.

We can’t keep the light of God for ourselves, leaving everyone else stumbling around in the dark.

Get out your disco ball and watch how even a small act of living as salt and light can transform a room and sparkle into the darkest corners.

  Today,
    I choose to look for where God is working
 and reflect His light.

The temptation to hide our light comes in all shapes and sizes: fear, distraction, not feeling good enough, busyness, external pressures, self-preservation, exhaustion, lack of freedom . . . you've probably had many others too.

Paul and the persecuted Christians of the early church knew all about the obstacles threatening to block their light. They faced imprisonment, torture and even execution, for going public with the Word of God.

How tempting it must have been for them at times to run in the opposite direction, and seek a comfortable, ‘normal’ life.

Yet, the disciples stuck to their guns and spoke boldly, “This is what the Lord has commanded us: Be a light to the world!”

That's exactly what Jesus is asking of you.

Allow Jesus to set the agenda for what is truly important to you. God's purposes, not our plans, matter most.

Whatever your circumstance, wherever God has placed you for such a time as this: shine.

Let's Pray

Almighty God,

Pour the fuel of your Holy Spirit onto my fire, that I may burn brightly and shine your light into the darkness of the world around me. When I feel like hiding, give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and be obedient to you, lifting your name and turning fear into praise. Help me to listen for your voice and hear opportunities to partner with you to go public with your almighty love.

Amen

What's Next?

It only takes a pinprick of light to hit a disco ball for it to be magnified around the room. Just try it and see!

As someone who suffers with a debilitating chronic illness, I know all too well the feeling of being limited in my influence.

Here are 5 small acts of living as salt and light that you can complete without even getting out of bed:

Go public: download our pack of Salt and Light social media graphics and get sharing!
Encourage others: send a thoughtful message of encouragement - check out our gorgeous postcards here.
Value your freedom: write a list of all the freedoms you are thankful for! How could you make use of these today? Donate to Release International and support Christians around the world who aren't free to follow their faith.
Keep praying: Sign up to the International Day of Prayer online event to pray for persecuted Christians around the world (15th November)
Follow Jesus: spend time asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what is really important in this season and seeking Jesus' agenda over your own.