Let Your Light Shine
Let Your Light Shine: Ways We Can Influence Others. These lessons were originally based on a Vacation Bible School theme, and some might think the topics are too simple and childlike for adults. But I have found that teaching that is good for children is almost always helpful to those of us who are older. We just need to take these simple ideas and look into them a little more carefully than we did when we were children.
Certainly the subject of our "influence" is an important topic. As regards the life a disciple is supposed to live in this world, there could hardly be a more profound song than "This Little Light of Mine."
Too often we think that we, as ordinary people, don't have much influence in the world. When it comes to influence, most of us don't see ourselves as having much opportunity (much less ability or responsibility). But as these lessons illustrate, there are plenty of simple ways that all of us can influence others for good.
Rather than hiding in fear or insecurity, we need to "be who we are" courageously, and act in the faith that it does good to do good. Here's hoping we all may make a more deliberate effort to "let our lights shine."
Gary Henry - WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
Influence
Whatever we'd like to influence others to be, that's what we ourselves need to be. Talk is pretty cheap, actually. Anybody can say what others ought to do. But if we want to have real impact, we're going to have to walk our talk.
Impact
Worthy impact does not come from what the world calls "greatness" but from what the wise call "goodness." If the full truth could be known, it's not the movers and the shakers who change the world the most, but the down-to-earth folks who simply do good.
It Does Good to Do Good
We don't have the luxury of considering only ourselves. "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." So let's take responsibility for the effect we are having on the other parts and members of God's creation.
Let Your Light Shine – Lesson 1 – By Being Thankful
Perhaps genuine thankfulness is such a potent influence for good because it is so rare and unexpected. Like Daniel, we need to let our light shine by being openly grateful to God, as well as being thankful to others. When we do that, we will be amazed at the results.
Let Your Light Shine – Lesson 2 – By Caring and Sharing
We need to care and share cheerfully. Our caring and sharing are powerful ways the Lord influences those around us: “Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today.” We need to experience the truth of the Lord’s saying: “It is more blessed to give than to receiv…
Let Your Light Shine – Lesson 3 – By Being Honest
Honesty is one of the most obvious ways in which we are to “adorn the gospel.” As valuable as a reputation for honesty is, there are few things harder to get back once we have lost such a reputation. May we carefully maintain our integrity and the influence that goes wi…
Let Your Light Shine – Lesson 4 – By Being a Peacemaker
As far as it depends on us, we must “live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18). When we are diligent to make our own relationships peaceful — and when we work at promoting peace among others — we will be lights in a world that is not only dark but full of strife.
Let Your Light Shine – Lesson 5 – By Overcoming Temptation
As the world becomes worse, the ability to withstand temptation becomes more critical. We must learn to live in the world without being of the world — and we owe it to those around us to demonstrate that it is possible to overcome temptation.