Let Your Light Shine

"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light.” Luke 8:16, NAS.

Hank* was an excited new follower of Jesus. The change in his life was dramatic, and the people of his village wanted to find out what had happened to Hank. He was so different from the man he used to be. When Hank got the opportunity to be trained in Bible story telling he was able to bring three of his friends with him.

At the training everything came together for Hank. God confirmed his call to follow Jesus and share His words with others. One verse in particular impressed Hank; Jesus said, “Don’t hide your light under a basket, but put it on a lamp stand so it gives light to the entire house.”

Hank interpreted this verse literally and used his money to buy a battery so he could put a light into the village mosque. He then gathered the children from his village every evening to tell them the Bible stories he had learned.

Because of the remarkable change in Hank’s life, the religious leaders of his village called him in for questioning. This gave Hank the opportunity to share how Jesus had healed him physically of a broken and cancerous bone and spiritually by forgiving his sin and renewing him to live a holy and pure life. No one could argue with the blameless life Hank was living, so he was allowed to continue teaching the children in the mosque.

Every week Hank has a gathering of twenty people at his house from his village. All of these people have come to faith in Jesus through Hank’s witness. His small house is falling apart because of all the people who come to Hank to hear the words of God. This is what happens when the light of God is not hidden but put out to give light to the entire house!

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

The group of believers meeting in Hank’s house will continue to grow in faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus and that people will be added to their numbers day by day.

God will continue to give Hank favor in the eyes of village leaders so he can continue to teach the words of God.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.