This little light of mine...

I wouldn't have planned to begin our marriage and our family in an inner city area. In the last few months on our street we have witnessed drunken fights, drug dealing, burglary, and domestic violence. I would never have chosen this. I'm a country girl at heart, but God called us to live here so what could I do? I guess someone has to live here, someone who knows Jesus. Many couples plan to start their life together in a nice suburban area (and God has His purposes there too, they are just as much in need, it just looks different), but He told us to stay in the city. Here the presence of darkness in terms of behaviour and social problems is very obvious. Jesus not only referred to Himself as the Light of the World (John 8:12), but also said this of His disciples:

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matt 5:14-16 ESV)

This week God has helped me to let my light shine before others in one small way. I was despairing about living here because I put these lovely arrangements of plants on the door step to brighten our dreary row of terraced houses, and one lunchtime they were stolen (I know, it's silly to be upset about plants, but this was only one in a series of incidents). But God encouraged me not to give up, and to fight the influence of darkness in the little ways that I can. After all, John's gospel says "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5 ESV) I decided to paint our shabby black fence in fresh, glossy white. We had several warm afternoons in a row so I spent lots of time out in my street painting. I used it as an opportunity to sing to God and pray for the area we live in. "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine" was going round and round in my head! I totally didn't expect it but I got into many conversations during those times. Students stopped to chat and point out bits I had missed! Residents from my street came to introduce themselves. Around one hundred people probably passed me and many encouraged me and appreciated my effort. One gentleman, age 90, was surprised that a young person who was only renting a house would care enough to paint it. I was just blown away by how God used my simple practical task. I now see that fence-painting can certainly be a ministry of light, along with any other little thing as we go about our daily lives, if we are open to God using us. As girls I think we have a unique talent for making things beautiful, not just functional (I have observed this in the decorating teams at many weddings!). Femininity is very diverse so this will not look the same for everyone, but it could be a discerning eye for interior design, a knowledge of plants or baking, a talent for styling people's hair, a musical gift, a gift for administration and order, and many, many more. All of these can be used to give glory to God, and to be a light in the world. The extraordinary things is that we don't have to become a certain type of person to be a light in our world, God just asks us to be who He designed us to be. What freedom! Anyone can do this! So, a couple of questions.. Are you aware of the spiritual reality in the area you live or work in? What are the particular issues? Do you know the people around you? Do you pray for your street? What does being a light in the world look like for you? How can you shine in your home, workplace, university, using your gifts so that God receives the glory?