Daddy, look at this!
Matthew 5: 14-16 (NIV)
You are the light of the world… (people do not) light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others.
In any given day, I guarantee I will hear the words 'Daddy, look at this' screamed at me as if my life depended on it. I'm never too sure what I’ll be presented with – a drawing, a tower, a creepy crawly, or sometimes just a very, very plain rock – but I can always be sure it will be shown to me with great excitement!
Kids have an incredible sense of awe and wonder and love to share their excitement with anyone who will listen. There’s never any sense of measuring their joy, or any assumption that you're not as 'into' the very plain rock as they are. They love it, and therefore they need you to know about it too.
As adults, we love to share movie recommendations or tell someone about a brilliant new restaurant we've found – in fact, the hospitality industry thrives on personal recommendations. We might not do it with the same level of energy and excitement as a young child, but we are creatures who naturally talk about what we like and enjoy.
I wonder how often we talk about the joy we find in Jesus and the difference God has made in our life? With friends, family and colleagues who don’t know Jesus, I wonder if the amount we talk about Jesus is proportionate to the significant place he holds in our life?
Of course, talking about Jesus and our faith with those who don’t know him can be complicated, and I don’t want to diminish that. However, the difference Jesus has made in our lives is immeasurable, so we should find ourselves wanting others to experience that same joy, life, grace and freedom.
Maybe you could challenge yourself today to pray for the opportunity to share something of the hope you have with a non-Christian.
Prayer – Jesus I am so thankful for all you have done in my life and all you mean to me. I pray that I would have the passion, confidence and opportunities to say ‘come and see’ to some of my friends, family and colleagues today.