There's something about darkness that makes even the smallest light stand out. One small flame has the power to push back shadows that seem overwhelming.
Matthew 5:16 tells us, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." These words have taken on new meaning for me during times when the world feels heavy with suffering and uncertainty.
I used to think shining God's light meant grand gestures—starting organizations, speaking to crowds, or traveling to distant places. But I see how the brightest lights often shine in small, everyday moments.
It's in the text message checking on a friend who's been quiet lately. The meal delivered to the family facing illness. The patient listening when someone needs to be heard. The gentle words spoken when harsh ones would be easier.
When darkness settles around us—whether globally or in someone's personal world—these simple acts of love create pinpoints of hope that illuminate what matters most.
God's light doesn't require spotlights or stages. It shows up in living rooms and hospital waiting areas. In grocery store aisles and office break rooms. In late-night conversations and early morning prayers.
I've watched people shine this light in remarkable ways. The neighbor who shovels everyone's sidewalk after a snowstorm. The coworker who remembers everyone's birthdays. The friend who calls regularly during difficult seasons, never forgetting or moving on when the crisis lingers.
These people aren't just being nice—they're revealing God's character in tangible ways. They're showing what love looks like with skin on.
Sometimes the darkest places are found within our own hearts—doubt, fear, disappointment, grief. Even there, we can choose to kindle small flames of gratitude, hope, and faith. As we tend these internal lights, they eventually shine outward, touching others who might be walking through their own shadows.
We shine God's light not by having all the answers, but by walking alongside others with questions. Not by eliminating suffering, but by refusing to let people suffer alone. Not by fixing everything, but by staying present when nothing can be fixed.
In Matthew's words, we see that our light isn't meant to draw attention to ourselves, but to point toward God. When we serve, comfort, encourage, and love, we create glimpses of heaven that help others see their way through dark times.
The beautiful thing about light is that it spreads. One candle can light another without diminishing its own flame. When we shine in dark places, we often inspire others to do the same, creating a network of hope in what once seemed like an endless night.
How can you shine God's light today? Maybe it starts with a phone call. A forgiveness offered. A boundary respected. A helping hand extended. A presence that refuses to turn away from pain.
These small acts might seem insignificant against the darkness of a broken world, but they matter more than we know. Together, they create the kind of light that helps others find their way home.