Lights in the World

Written by Shirley Choat

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
- Philippians 2:14,15

I can't remember where I heard this story, but it came back to me as I read this text.

When Benjamin Franklin decided to interest the people of Philadelphia in street lighting, he hung a beautiful lantern on the end of a long bracket attached to the front of his home. He kept the glass brightly polished and carefully lit the wick each evening at the approach of dusk. Anyone walking on the dark street could see this light from a long way off and came under its warm glow. It wasn't long before Franklin's neighbors began placing lamps outside their homes. Soon the entire city realized the value of street lighting and followed his example with enthusiasm.

This same power of example works for the Christian, and Paul's words in our text apply to every believer. The world is affected by what we say and do when we set a good example.

Christian friends, as lights in the world, we who are believers in Christ have the privilege of illuminating its dark places. Although we are not of the world, we are in the world. We must not allow ourselves to be shaped by its pressure; instead, we are to exert our influence on it. "Let your light so shine before men" Matthew 5:16.

I want my life to shine for Jesus
So that everywhere I go
The watching world will see He loves them
And His saving grace will know.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Don't expect God to use you as a lighthouse somewhere else, if He can't use you as a candle where you are."