Living as the Light
Have you ever set your CD player on repeat and then locked yourself in your room listening to the same words repeat over and over and over again? I remember doing that. I would wallow for days, upset over something... what a waste. Not quite what Jesus meant by being the light of the world, is it?
"You are the salt of the earth …"
Sometimes life as a teenager plays out like that. Drudgery played over and over again in your mind. It often results from a broken heart, a feeling of isolation, or a lack of faith that your life is headed someplace bright.
Times like these are when you need to call upon our dear friend, the Lord Jesus. Talk to Him. Let Him know how you feel. Give Him your worries, fears, regrets, hurts, and anxieties. Offer it all up. He will help you carry your cross.
Sounds easy, doesn't it? Too often though, we have a hard time letting go of our pains, our misery. We truly need to get into the habit of trusting Jesus.
We have to remember that Christ has already been there, already done that. Jesus hung on a cross and died for us. Jesus begged His Father to let that day pass, but ultimately He chose the will of the Father ... for us.
"You
are the light of the world ..."
Remember, also, His words of encouragement. He constantly reminds us of how special we are. Jesus encourages each of us to be a shining light, for we are all children of God.
And when He says all, He means ALL. It doesn't matter if you think you are the "jock", the "nerd" or the "nobody." It doesn't matter if you think you are fat, skinny, ugly or gorgeous.
You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Jesus came to this earth to spread his message of love to everyone - Gentile and Jew.
Be reassured by the fact that Jesus also came to comfort the afflicted. He didn't go around saying, "Blessed are the rich and famous." He said, blessed are the poor in spirit, those that mourn, the meek, those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted for righteousness, and you when you are persecuted in His name.
" ... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven."
I
still sometimes put the CD player on repeat. Emotions of the messages
being blown out of my speakers still overwhelm me. But it isn't in self
pity or desperation anymore. It is more of a hunger and thirst and passion.
One song I often like to throw in on repeat is "Worlds Apart" by Jars of Clay. The first time I heard it I was volunteering in my first "adult" experience at DYLC (Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp). One small group used it for prayer, and 8 years later it still evokes emotions that burn in my heart.
Most of the lines in that song are gripping. One that really captures me is when the lead singer cries out, "Did you really have to die for me?" Too often we casually talk about how Jesus died. I think we need to approach it more often the way this song does -- with passion.
JESUS DIED FOR US. The least we can do is heed some of his words. We can walk out into that world and be the light for others.
Let the Holy Spirit capture you. Live as an example of Christ and give glory to the Father.
Life Applications:
Do you ever have a hard time believing you are "the light of the
world"?
Do you see Jesus as someone you can talk to -- a friend?
What is it that stirs up the passion of Christ in you?
By Rod Hetherton
"You are the light of the world ... " Our personal encounter with Christ bathes life in new light, sets us on the right path, and sends us out to be His witnesses. This new way of looking at the world and at people, which comes to us from Him, leads us more deeply into the mystery of faith, which is not just a collection of theoretical assertions to be accepted and approved by the mind, but an experience to be had, a truth to be lived, the salt and light of all reality (cf. Veritatis Splendor, 88).
In this secularized age, when many of our contemporaries think and act as if God did not exist or are attracted to irrational forms of religion, it is you, dear young people, who must show that faith is a personal decision which involves your whole life. Let the
Gospel be the measure and guide of life's decisions and plans! Then you will be missionaries in all that you do and say, and wherever you work and live you will be signs of God's love, credible witnesses to the loving presence of Jesus Christ. Never forget: "No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a bushel" (Mt 5:15)!- Pope John Paul II, Message to the Youth on the XXVII World Youth Day, Toronto
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