Let your light shine...but not too brightly

We have all heard it said, “Let your light so shine before men” and I am writing today to say that we absolutely need to let our light shine, but I was surprised at the revelation that I had while driving into work this morning.

The sun was bright…so bright that I could barely see a thing as I drove down Western Ave, towards Suny. Even my visor wasn’t doing much to block out the light that was penetrating my eyes. I was thinking of how beautiful and POWERFUL the sun really is. I believe that God showed me something through this moment…

How often do we witness to someone? And if we are bold enough to reach out and preach the Gospel, as God commands us to do, do you sometimes feel like it is overkill? I have been hesitant to write this blog, I have actually had it saved in my drafts for a few days, because I wanted to wait on the Lord and see if this is what he was really showing me.

I feel like sometimes we can say too much or be too overpowering to unbelievers. I have even heard it said that sometimes Christians can act Kooky. Sometimes we can start speaking “Christianese” and totally lose our once captive audience. I know personally, I have said some things in the past that I never realized could have been taken way out of context or have been received the wrong way.

Here are a few funny examples that a guest preacher actually shared at my church this year.
Never say to unbeliever:

“I am covered with the blood of Christ”

“Devil, I rebuke you in Jesus’ name”

“I’m drunk on the holy ghost”

And never start just speaking in tongues!!!

Now most of these are obvious and definitely could be frowned upon by unbelievers..leaving them to think we have ultimately gone mad. LOL

But God was showing me more than this…he was saying that YES he wants us to share the good news with others and encourage them to follow him, etc…but have you ever heard it said, “preach the gospel, use words when necessary?” I love that!! That is saying that your LIFE should be the light that others see and admire….they should see Christ in YOU…not just talking about him….but SHOWING him to the world by the way that you live.

I was thinking at how profound that revelation really is….just the way the sun was so bright that it hurt my eyes….sometimes our lights can be too powerful and overbearing and may actually HINDER people from coming to Christ.

We should never force anything on others...God gave them a choice…his will or free will and they will have to make their own decisions. After all, they will be standing in front of him on judgment day and they will have to answer for themselves…until then, let’s pray that our lights are just bright enough for them to see the truth and not overpowering in that we blind them.