If you want to live your identity and be the light in the darkness, that’s awesome! We’re so glad you’re here!
Doing that sounds great, but where do you even start?
While you might think that being the light of the world starts with a list of “do this, not that”s, it actually doesn’t! That’s because the starting point to living as the light of the world isn’t doing but being.
Before we can do “the things” that bring light to the darkness, we have to root ourselves in the only One who can show us how to live out our identity as the light of the world.
In John 8:12, Jesus calls Himself the light of the world and says that “whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (NIV). In Matthew 5:14, He gives us the same identity as Himself by calling His followers “the light of the world”.
We must first know the One whose image we are made in before we can try to bear His image on our own strength.
In John 15:1-17, Jesus illustrates the importance of abiding in Him. He says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). It is only through Him that we can bear fruit–we simply just cannot do it on our own! If we want to bear any fruit and bring light to others, then we have to prioritize and strive for intimacy with God.
This intimacy with Jesus results in life change (the fruit) that enables us to reflect His light and bring others to Him.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to deepen your intimacy with Jesus:
- How can I find ways to deeply connect/abide in Jesus (how do you connect with Him best?)
- What parts of Jesus do I have trouble learning about/grasping, and how can I learn about Him deeply?
- What parts of my life have I not surrendered to Him that are holding me back from knowing and reflecting Him?
Now go connect with Jesus! Spend some quality time with Him, and remember:
You are the light of the world. You are the ANOMALY.