“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.”

 Matthew 5:14-16

DEVOTION

As I started to read Matthew 5, I began to imagine what it must have been like to sit on the mountainside and be one of the people in the crowd listening to Jesus. In the time Matthew 5 took place and in our culture today, Jesus’ teachings were completely counter-cultural and opposite of human nature. I can imagine myself sitting there as Jesus spoke and wondering, “How could I possibly live my life this way when everyone else doesn’t?”

I find myself even today waking up every morning asking that same question. Every time I get on my phone for social media or to read the news, I can see what our culture tells me to be. Showing mercy, hungering for righteousness, and being meek are not the top things I see on my Facebook feed!

But how do we as Christians live our lives striving to be an example of Jesus to those around us? How can we be completely countercultural like Jesus is saying in Matthew? And how do we do this while still showing the love of Christ? This is no easy task, but it is what we are called to do as Christians.

Inspiration can be defined as “the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something.” Aspiration is “a hope or ambition of achieving something.” Stimulation versus ambition. Matthew 5:14-16 says we are the light of the world, a town built on a hill that cannot be hidden. We are a light to everyone in the house. We are called to shine our light before others so they can see that the glory belongs to our father in heaven.

Even though this devotion is far from a step-by-step process on how we should live our lives reflecting Christ, I want to share the prayer I pray out of aspiration over myself as a hope and ambition of becoming more like Christ in my daily interactions with people.

 PRAYER

God, let me live my life as an example for you. Let my light be visible to those around me and continue to give me the strength and perseverance to live my life like you have called me to live. I want to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Give me the opportunities to be merciful, to make peace, and to show your love to others. Amen.

Caleb Williams

Service Production Manager

cwilliams@crossings.church

Caleb Williams is the Service Production Manager at Crossings Community Church. He is dedicated to organizing and producing excellent services and special events across Crossings.

RESOURCES

• Sermon On The Mount Series 
• Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted message 
• "Waymaker" Sanctuary worship song