Lighting Up the World


The Bible speaks to Christ-followers in Matthew 5:14-16 about lighting up the world:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Do you remember singing "Hide it under a bushel.  No!  I'm gonna let it shine..." as a child?  Holding one pretend candle finger up for all to see?

I think I've heard this passage a million times in my life as a Christian - in Sunday School, VBS, and at church camp.  



But this week it took on a new...light in my way of thinking.



 My husband was working with the kids to carve our jack-o-lantern last night.  He carefully carved a nice-sized lid, then scooped out the slimy innards with the children.  After shaping the facial features, he inserted a candle straight and tall, lit it, then secured the lid so we could all enjoy the cheery face of our pumpkin as the sun set and the darkness of night closed in.




Earlier this week, I received an e-mail from missionaries urging us to pray for Christians where ISIS is taking over.  He said ISIS was going from house to house, demanding Christians deny their faith.  Specifically, the children.  If the child were to deny Christ, they would be allowed to live.  If the child refused to deny their faith in Christ, they were killed right in front of their parents.  Martyred for their faith.  None of the children denied Christ.  Does this prick your conscience?  Does it make your heart squeeze in pain for these families?  Do you want to cry in outrage against this atrocity?   I do!

 And then I look at my children - giggling their way through the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the school day.  Whining if they are denied a treat from their candy buckets.  Griping if I haven't arranged a play date for the afternoon.  How can I explain the freedoms they have, and how much they have to be thankful for?

They have never experienced testing of their faith, or much pain in their lives, for that matter.  Deprivation, starvation, execution - they may never experience these dire circumstances.   In fact, it is my prayer that they never have to go through these things.

What did those Middle Eastern parents say to their children?  How did they teach them so that, when the scary-looking men with machetes and machine guns barged into their homes, demanding that they deny their faith, they said, "Christ is mine.  I am His.  You cannot take that away from me!"  They said this in the face of certain death.

These brave parents instilled such a fervent faith in their children that they chose martyrdom.

Incredible!

God, please show us the way to raise our children.  Help us to instill rock-solid faith in their hearts, so if they are ever called upon to die for their faith, they will do it gladly.  Help us teach our children to Light Up The World - unashamed.

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