Let 'Em See Good Works and Then...

THURSDAY 3.13.08 – MATTHEW 5:14–16
You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Love, love, love this verse. It's not like today is my first time reading it. I make my students study this verse in connection with the verse where You said: "While I am in the world I am the light of the world." It's amazing that this with this whole study of light, we find that where You dwell there is light, life, and provision. Then You come and dwell in human flesh among us and proclaim that You are the light of the world. Yes, because at that time You were dwelling among us. Then, it what is a most radical statement, You declared that we were the light of the world. It's radical in two ways that I see: You are giving responsibilities to humans and also it means that You dwell among us, because only where You dwell is there true light, life, and provision.

So, how is my life bringing light to everyone in the house? Do I have good deeds that are shining forth, allowing people to praise You, my Father in heaven? When I turn the spotlight on my life, I think there are certainly ways about my life that do help people see You. In my teaching, I make sure to start everyday with a prayer. I know that besides our sixth grade teacher I am the only teacher to do that. And it's because I want You to be involved in my classroom throughout the day. The students are part of the prayer obviously, because I pray out loud with the class, for the class, etc. It's not necessarily a good deed, but it does allow for students to praise our Father in heaven.

Other than that, I'm not sure I could come up with many examples of specific deeds that shine before men. It doesn't mean that I never do anything to shine, it just means I can't think of anything right now. But that also doesn't mean that this verse doesn't hold some conviction for me.

One thing I've noticed throughout this fast is how rarely I feel like I have the opportunity to serve and actually do what I consider good works. Now, I accept that perhaps my definition of good works is a little off. But at school I seem to constantly be trying to keep hold of my classroom discipline, teach something, get people to pay attention...it certainly feels like I do more strong-arming than serving. What I truly desire is a change in my perception, I want You to show me where I can live a life that serves. Where am I missing opportunities? Where could I allow myself to be broken a bit more? Because I feel this is the way of Christ, Your way that will allow more people to praise my Father in heaven, You.

Dear Lord,
I pray today that You provide opportunity to serve and that I see and do not go the other way. Allow me to do the little things, the medium things, and the big things that allow people to praise You. Begin to transform me to make this service and brokenness part of my being, my attitude, my attention, and just a part of who I am. I thank You that You dwell with us and are constantly working and calling us to be something more, to be light to the world. Never stop calling, help me to answer.
Through Christ and in the Holy Spirit I pray. Amen.