Have you ever looked at the bright lights after being in the dark for a period of time? That brightness is blinding when you are not expecting to see the bright lights in your eyes.

In our Christian lives we are called to be the light of the world and shine our lights for Christ and others. Exactly what does that mean to be a light in a world that is in the dark?

Sometimes it may indicate a significant time where you are forced to go out of your comfort zone to let your light shine, and other times it may just simply encouraging one another. There are numerous examples of individuals in scripture that went beyond their comfort levels to let their lights shine no matter what the circumstances may be surrounding them. One of those individuals is David: who made mistakes in his life, made an example in the darkness by shining his light of Christ through the learning phases of his life and was considered to be called a man after God's own heart by realizing when he made a mistake.

2nd Samuel 22:29 (TNIV) You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light.

Psalms 4:6 (KJV) There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Another example of an individual who had great faith and let his light shine was Job. Job was a man of great faith and was tested in various ways: even losing everything he had, except for his Faith in God and through that he was letting his light shine despite the trials he faced in his life that included losing it all for Christ.

Job 29:1-3 (NIV) Job continued his discourse:
"How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness!

Another example is Paul for he endured great trials. He was a terrorist that was persecuting Christians, but then he was changed into a man of faith and light. When Paul was King Saul he persecuted the Christians, however when he is changed to Paul he went to being an apostle for Christ, and through his life he struggled with his past, however he let his light shine to speak the message of Christ even while in prison and he also taught many individuals about Christ.

Acts 9:26 ( NASB) When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

2nd Corinthians 13:-2-5 (TNIV) I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For you to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with you, Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?

In our lives we are to use these examples to be reminded to be a light in the darkness and let your light shine through to show others that it is Jesus is with you, and that he will help you to shine your light for HIM. Are you letting your light shine in the darkness for Christ? Amen.