Matthew 5:14-16 says, 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither 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. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

I know that this passage speaks of a lamp on a table, giving light to all, but when I read this passage, I can't help but think of a lighthouse. A few years ago, my family took a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We were able to see several famous lighthouses along the coast. The thing that stood out to me was the magnificence of the structure. The lighthouses stood tall, and they are a testament to the legacy for which they are famous. They were a source of hope and comfort for sailors during a storm, guiding the ships to safety and keeping them from crashing into the shore.

The lighthouse stands tall against battering winds and waves. Even on the darkest nights, the lighthouse projects its beacon to light the way. The beam of light can be seen for miles. Is this what my life reflects? Too many times I feel like my "beacon" is not too welcoming. Sometimes I wonder if I project too much darkness and negativity.

Our life should be much like that of a lighthouse. We should project comfort in time of need, and the way we live our lives should show this image. Just as sailor's lives depended on the lighthouse, those in need around us depend on us to be welcoming and to be a ray of hope. I pray that God would use me as a lighthouse and that people may see my goodness, and in turn, see the goodness of God. I also pray that God would keep me standing tall during dark times, and project His goodness even during those times.

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I don't think we are really aware of how important light is. Late one night, I discovered just how essential it is. It was midnight and I was driving home on a deserted stretch of highway. At the time I owned a black truck. As I was driving across the Roy F. Chalker Bridge, my truck died. I immediately grasped the gravity of the situation. I had no lights, there are no street lights to illuminate the road, I am in a dark vehicle, and I can't pull over to shoulder of the road because there is no shoulder of the road. I knew that if another vehicle came along at 55mph, the driver wouldn't see me and it would be ugly. I did some serious praying to God to let me coast off the bridge so that I could pull over. He answered my prayer. Fortunately, I had a cell phone and I was able to call my brother to come rescue me, but I had to sit there, helpless, on the side of that solitary road in complete darkness for what seemed like an eternity.

In Matthew 5: 14-16 Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world and we should let our light shine so that others will see our good deeds which will, in turn, glorify God. Our love for God should be so brilliant and comforting that others will be drawn to God. Our faith should be vivid and clear so that others will want to move toward a relationship with God and not figuratively be helplessly stuck on the side of a dark road waiting.

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Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

I recently had an opportunity to visit a family who's a daughter was having trouble sleeping at night. She was having horrible nightmares, awakening in fear, trembling, and seeing shadows in the night. As we prayed with this child I called to the Lord to fill this girl with the power of God. I prayed that she would know that Jesus is in her heart, and because he is there a light will shine from her that will cast out all shadows in the night. I reminded her that with light there is warmth, and comfort. And with light, warmth, and comfort comes peace, and in peace, she will rest, and fear no more.

Isn't it ironic that we always look at Jesus as the light and the salvation, but it was he who called us the light, You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Christ asks us not to hide that light, to not conceal it. If Christ is in your heart then a Holy Light will shine from you, and from that light others may find warmth and comfort. So, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds, and praise your father in Heaven. (Matthew 5:16). 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. (Matthew 5:15). Christ is telling us to stand tall, and be proud that we are Christians. And that we must hold our heads high, so that all can see, even when we are among the sinners of the world. The irony that I see is that we only see Jesus as the light, so much so that we become the shadow. We must remember that if we have Christ in our hearts, we needn't be afraid of the dark, and we should not live in fear of the shadows. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:5). Because the brighter the light, the smaller the shadows, and the light, comes from within you.

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I would like to be a light of the world. I'd like to be one of those people who, just with their very presence, radiates love and peace and compassion. I imagine that to be a Christlike light. Most of the time I don't think I am a light, though. I think I'm a shadow. I try to disappear into the light of others. I want to hide next to the really strong lights-like those trick birthday candles that never go out-I think if I stand next to them maybe a spark will hit me, or maybe no one will notice that I'm not really shining on my own. It's not that I don't want to be a light to the world-I really do. It's really hard for me sometimes God. I struggle so much with shining. I was thinking about how a flame needs oxygen to continue to burn. God, You know me, You know what's in my heart. You know that sometimes I feel as if all the oxygen has been depleted from me, and I'm gasping just to breathe.

Heavenly Father, I need Your hand on me today. I'm gasping for air, and I need Your Calming Spirit to rekindle me. Help me find the tools I once had for shining. I lost them somewhere God. The longer I lived in the shadows, the more complacent I became there. I want the courage to step out now God, to light up the world with the gifts You have given me. And God, if that's not Your plan for me right now, can You let those lights around me glow even brighter? Help me to accept the warmth from those who shine around me.

Never fear shadows. They simply mean that there's a light somewhere nearby. ~Ruth E. Renkei~

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In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus compares his followers to the "salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." He first talks about salt which has lost its "saltiness" as no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. This is an unusually harsh statement from a Teacher who describes redemption and forgiveness in almost all of his Teachings. The NIV Study Bible states that much of the salt used by the Israelites at that time came from the Dead Sea and was full of impurities, which caused the salt to lose its flavor. This interpretation seems to confirm this as a "harsh" statement. For, if being filled with impurities is the test of our "saltiness", I am afraid that we all would fail such a test. God, grant us understanding as we read your Word.

Right after this harsh statement, Jesus immediately calls his followers the "light of the world." That is quite a calling and is somewhat scary to think about how to fulfill such a role.

I think that placing these two passages back to back may have been intended as a signpost on the path to awakening. For it is often after we become fully aware of our failings and experience descent into darkness and pain ("thrown out and trampled by men") that we surrender fully, and the light of the Father can shine through us to the world.

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