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 NIV
Reflection
As we step into summer, we have more hours of light and to spend time being the light of the world Jesus calls us to be. On our National Day of Prayer National Observance Broadcast our friend Doug Stringer prayed that we, the Church, would be “living lampstands,” bringing light and dispelling darkness in every place we step, every conversation we speak into, and in the lives of people throughout our community and country. We want to encourage you this summer to take some time to decide how you will steward and spend your time in ways that will make memories while also being on mission to share the love of Jesus and serve Him by serving others.
There is an amazing opportunity coming up the weekend of June 8th-9th called National Unity Weekend. National Unity Weekend is an opportunity for believers to demonstrate our faith by sharing the Bible’s transformative message of racial and ethnic unity from pulpits across the country, and to practically demonstrate God’s love and our oneness in Christ across racial, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, and denominational lines, by serving the underserved in our local communities. This special weekend brings unity within the Church as well as outside the walls of the church, as we commit not just to be hearers of the Word but doers of the Word. Of course, like the National Day of Prayer, it is not a one day or one weekend mentality or mission, it is the launch of a lifestyle; an everyday practice to lift up and live out the love and light of Jesus in prayerful and practical ways.
National Unity Weekend’s core values are Christ Centered, Church Honoring, Bridge Building, Community Serving. These would be godly filters to pause and check ourselves in all we think, say, and do. Is what I am thinking Christ centered? Is what I am about to say Bridge building? Are the things I am doing representing the Church in a honoring way that serves the community and draws people to be curious or closer to Jesus? Am I being light or contributing to the darkness?
All of these will help guide us and guard us as we “Let our light shine.”
How will you spend your summer?
Will you join us in prayer right now?
Lord Jesus, You are the Author of all our days, the One who gives us purpose. We want to live “on purpose,” not meandering without mission or wasting the precious time You have given us. You pour out Your life, light, and love on us and we pray that You will open our eyes and hearts to share all of these in special opportunities like Unity Weekend, projects at our church, work, schools and community, and in everyday moments as we step into the good works You prepared for our lives and Your glory. Prompt us daily to lift up the Word, live out the Word, and light up the world. In the powerful, wonderful name of Jesus we pray, Amen!
Find out more about National Unity Weekend at https://unityweekend.com
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
