Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
I visited New York for the first-time last week. My daughter Tayler had lived and worked in the city for the past few years and wanted to show my wife and me the local sites. We were regular tourists and saw the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Rockefeller Center, Wallstreet, and numerous other landmarks that I had only seen on television or in the movies. We even took a bus ride to Philadelphia to see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. My daughter and I took a tour of the 911 memorial museum and saw the tributes to those who had been killed in the terrorist attack as well as the first responders who served and/or gave their lives in its aftermath. It was a sobering experience.
Another thing I got to experience for the first time was the NYC subway system. We saw quite an eclectic group of people that represented a wide variety of the population who make regular use of the public transportation system.
One incident I experienced on the subway has stuck with me more than any other. As we sat in the noisy, crowded subway car headed for the downtown area I heard a small child who was sitting to my left start to sing. It wasn’t that she was singing that surprised me, it was what she was singing. To hear this child’s clear small voice start to sing “Jesus loves me,” was somewhat startling. She sang it over and over again as we rode to the next station. I watched the other riders in the car to see what their reaction would be to this unusual performance. There was no obvious response and they either stared straight ahead or kept their faces buried in their cellphones. There were no conversations going on, and the only sound that challenged this sweet serenade was the noise of the subway car’s wheels on the tracks. One thing I know for sure, that despite the rider’s lack of reactions, they all heard every word she sang! It was an unbelievable testimony for the Lord in the most unusual of places.
God’s word says we are to “Let your light shine before men,” so as to be a witness for Him in this confusing, frightening time. It doesn’t have to be a theological sermon, or a well-researched defense of the faith to be an effective light in this world. God wants to use your life and actions to show others the truth found in Him. I think I could make a convincing argument that a few verses of a child’s simple song could have had more impact for God than anything I have ever said, written, or done throughout my official capacity as a pastor or chaplain.
Thought for the Day
Let your light shine in any way, big or small, and God will use it for His glory!
