“Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.” Philippians 2:14-16 MSG
At night, when the rest of my family is in bed, I try walking to my bedroom without any lights on. I read this practice is good for your brain, activating parts that you don’t often use, requiring you to tap into senses like touch and hearing. Because I am familiar with my house, I can make it to my bed without tripping or falling. Even with the lights off, it’s never completely dark - the street lights filter through the windows or the little smoke detector lights give just enough for me to not be in complete darkness. Some nights, if I’m being really brave, I’ll close my eyes and try to make it safely; honestly — it’s a little nerve wracking!
This parallels our Christian walk. We live in a dark world and can become scared or overwhelmed by the darkness surrounding us. Sometimes, it feels safer to hide away from the world and only associate with other believers.
However, we are not meant to hide our light. We are called to be the light in the darkness, a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14). To do that, we must step out of our comfort zones and go into the world. Like walking through your house at night, it can seem scary. But your spirit is activated when you step out in faith. In the beginning, your light might be dim, like the smoke detector lights — but others walking in complete darkness will notice, especially if they’re looking for a way out. The more you put your faith into action, the brighter your light will shine for others to see — pointing them toward Jesus, telling them, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).
A calling to holiness doesn’t mean escaping the world, but living differently within it so others see a better way. We won’t be perfect; we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We strive to live innocently out of devotion to Jesus. Aiming to live “blameless and pure” (Philippians 2:15) is crucial to holy living. It’s doing the right thing when no one is watching; treating others with kindness when they least deserve it; and not judging others for missing the mark. Each day, we decide, to choose honesty, purity and peace.
We don’t need a megaphone to show people how to live. Our lives should be a walking advertisement for Christ. Actions speak louder than words. Let your light draw people in, like a moth to a flame. Living holy gives people hope that light in the darkness is possible. Let Christ shine through you!