You Are the Light: Embrace It. Live It. Shine Through the Darkness.

This Sunday I get to speak at a new church for the first time—and I’m genuinely excited about it. As I was prepping the message, I realized how important it is for all of us to take hold of the identity we’ve been given as followers of Jesus.

So I thought, why not share it here too?

Because the more I sat with it, the more I saw how this isn’t just a message for a Sunday morning crowd—it’s for anyone trying to walk out their faith in a real way. Anyone trying to live different. Stand out. Carry something deeper in a world that constantly pulls us toward surface-level living.

A Countercultural Calling: Living the Sermon on the Mount

In Matthew 5, Jesus flips the script on everything culture values. Instead of power, wealth, or status, He starts with the Beatitudes—a list of blessings that make no sense unless you’re living for something more:

Blessed are the poor in spirit. Those who mourn. The meek. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. The merciful. The pure in heart. The peacemakers. The persecuted.

He doesn’t just list qualities. He reveals the culture of the Kingdom. It’s radical. It’s uncomfortable. And it’s the way forward.

You Are the Salt: Hold On to What Is Good

Right after this list of blessings, Jesus makes it personal:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” (Matthew 5:13)

Salt preserves. It brings out flavor. It keeps things from going bad. In a world filled with moral decay and spiritual apathy, Jesus says: You’re what’s keeping it from falling apart.

Being salt means holding onto what’s good, even when it’s unpopular. It means living with conviction, protecting the truth, and resisting the pressure to water down what Jesus taught.

You Are the Light: Let Your Life Testify

Then Jesus takes it a step further:

“You are the light of the world… In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16)

We’re not meant to hide our faith. We’re meant to shine. That doesn’t mean being loud or flashy—it means being authentic. It means letting our story reflect God’s glory.

Your Testimony Isn’t Just How You Were Saved

For years, I thought I didn’t have a “real” testimony. I didn’t have a radical transformation story. I wasn’t delivered from addiction or saved from the brink. I thought, Why would anyone care about my story?

But what I’ve come to realize is—our testimony is always unfolding. It’s not just the moment you met Jesus. It’s every moment since.

• It’s the community you found when you needed it most.
• It’s the healing that came after heartbreak.
• It’s the season of waiting that prepared you for something greater.
• It’s the peace you felt on a morning you would’ve normally been anxious.

Don’t wait for your story to be “good enough” to share. Start where you are. Share what God’s doing now.

Let Your Light Speak Louder Than Your Words

Being light isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. It’s being someone who reflects Christ in how you live, love, and lead.

You never know how much someone needs to hear what you’ve been through.

You don’t have to convince anyone. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to shine.

Keep the Fire Burning

If this spoke to you, don’t let the light fade.
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