Hold Up the Light

Can I be honest for a moment? I am tired…like the type of tired where something within your soul is unsettled type of tired.

There is a lot going on in this day and age. The political culture, economy, social unrest, and injustice in so many places are just some of the things that come to mind as I write this.

And yet, in the midst of everything, the song “Hold Up the Light” by the New Jersey Mass Choir I grew up on comes into my spirit. The song says for all heaven bound soldiers, we ought to hold up the light and let our light shine around the world.

In Matthew 5:14-16: Jesus tells His disciples, “You are the light of the world.” He tells them that they are a city that sits on a hill and cannot be hidden. So, he commands them not to hide the light because that would be like putting a lamp under a basket, but to put it on a stand.

Jesus goes on to say, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (BibleGateway).

Make a conscious decision to hold up the light

I’ve come to realize as I grow in the Lord that holding up the light is a decision. Isn’t it funny that earlier in Matthew 5, Jesus just finished giving The Beatitudes? Like Jesus literally tells his disciples in verese 11, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

It can be hard to hold up the light and be the salt of the earth when you were just wrongly accused, right? Can I get an Amen? I chuckle at this, but I understand that Jesus was building his disciples’ character.

Again, it is a decision, for even the Bible tells us in 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Making the decision to shun darkness and walk in the light needs to be our priority. Especially if we are going to compel peeople to come to Christ. So, don’t fret about trying to fit in with the world.

Don’t let the world dim your light

Now, I also know that because you are a light some people may want to extinguish your light. Additionally, you may find yourself not showing up fully as to not draw attention to your bubbly, bright or just simply beautiful personality.

Isn’t it interesting how light is often met with opposition and yet it often reveals true motives. I remember when I was a teacher, my students wanted to work some days with the lights off. Thankfully, I had a big window in my classroom, so even with the lights off, I could still see.

Well, some days I would tell my students that we could not turn the lights off. When they would ask why, I would tell them it’s because I need to see and hear everything going on in here. LOL Some classes I could trust with some of the lights off, and other classes I knew that would be asking for trouble and lead to my instant regret.

Because let’s be honest- the darkness causes the alter ego to come out at times or expose your true motives. The darkness causes kids (and even adults) to sometimes get into certain behaviors that they would not do with the light on.

But let’s take it back to being a city that sits on a hill that cannot be hidden. One thing about being the light is that people are often drawn to you. They look up and you shine. And for some, you become a source of energy to the space you are occupying.

Plants need the light in order to capture energy and form the green pigment known as chlorophyll. The light also helps the seed begin to grow therefore more flowers and plants being able to reproduce. For us, Vitamin D is essential for our bodily function and can be obtained through supplements or sunlight. According to the Mayo Clinic, Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb calcium, support our immune system, and aids in muscle movement.

So, the light God deposited on the inside of you is essential. And God could be using you to be a light in a certain space to help push back darkness through the Holy Spirit. Your presence is vital.

Don’t let the light cause you to perform for people

I think about how when Jesus was healing and performing miracles, people were drawn to him to. Some to spectate and then others became converted to following Jesus Christ. That makes it all worth it, right?! Someone coming to Jesus Christ through the light God put on the inside of you.

And again, I get it. That can take a lot out of you and if you are not careful, you will start performing for the world and falling into certain expectations that people may project on you for being the light when God never intended to put that type of weight on you. For example, if you are a powerful praise and worship leader, you are supposed to lead people to worship. Will it be charasmatic every single time? Not at all, and that is ok.

I will say, I understand why Jesus had to still away. So, take some time to allow God and the Holy Spirit to fill and strengthen you. And seek Him to make sure you are shining your light in the right spaces. Remember to be you. That is enough for the Lord to use you.

If you have found yourself feeling tired or drained from being the light, I want to encourage you that the joy of the Lord will be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). What an honor to be designated by God as chosen vessels to be the light.

Here is a video I recorded concerning this, I pray it blesses you.

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