DAY 40: MATTHEW

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Dear Christian,

Let your light shine before others.

At a time when it feels easier or more convenient to hide our Christian identities, I pray and hope that we would take Jesus’s words seriously and not hide under a basket.

Fear of man has a way of entering our hearts, preventing us from speaking and loving others fully. Fear has paralyzed me in the past, and I remember feeling ashamed to even be standing near a religious section of a bookstore. 

But while I was ashamed, God was not. He pursued me, and He is also pursuing you. 

When I came to know who God is, my eyes were opened to all His beauty, grace, goodness, and love. How could we not speak of a God who makes us sing and dance? How could we not speak of His faithfulness and steadfast love?

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44-46)

To know the Light of the world is treasure beyond measure and to be a light of the world is an honor.

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Created as part of the Books of the Bible Collection where I meditate on God’s beauty and faithfulness from beginning to end for 66 days from Genesis to Revelation. Each painting will be accompanied by an envelope containing a personal reflection based on the text the painting is based on.

An 11x14 inch original watercolor painting on 100% cold pressed cotton paper, 2023.