My sister lives in an area close to where we grew up. While talking with her the other day, she mentioned bumping into one of my high-school classmates, and she asked about me. This classmate knew that I had moved away some years ago and wanted to know how I was doing, since we hadn’t been in contact since our high-school days. My sister told me she asked, “Is Kim still as sweet as she was in high school? She never liked to do anything that would get her in trouble.” I was very surprised to hear this. It is true that I was never one for getting in trouble, but it is still surprising to hear another person’s perception of me. It just goes to show that we never know whose eyes are upon us. Someone is always watching what you do and how you do it.
I had a very strict upbringing, and my father was no joke. Prior military, he was disciplined and believed in self-reliance. He grilled in us, “Don’t ever depend on somebody to do something for you that you can do for yourself!” Excuses were not tolerated. Growing up, yeah, I thought it was harsh at times, but my father knew that life can be harsh, and he was trying his best to prepare us for it. There were times when I wanted to do some of the things I saw others doing, but the hand of God was on my life, and through my biological father, God was keeping me from making serious mistakes.
Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:14(NLT), “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” All those years ago, God had a plan for my life just as He has a plan for yours. He called us with a heavenly calling to be lights of the world. Hearing about my classmate reminded me of the importance of what it means to be “light bearers for Jesus!” Even though I couldn’t articulate it back then, my classmate saw something in me at a very young age that left an imprint on her life. Our goal should be to leave an imprint of the love of Christ with everything we do and with everyone that we meet.
1Thessalonians 5:5(NLT) tells us, “For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.” As children of the light of Christ, we must be eager to let this light shine, so others will see it and give God the glory for it. My biological dad didn’t know all the obstacles we would encounter, but God worked through my dad’s tenacity to raise disciplined and determined young women; and it prepared us to bear the light of Christ. It isn’t easy to be lights in this dark world, but it is by far the most rewarding and meaningful thing we could ever hope to do.
Understand the power and grace that God extends to you to live a life of light. Everything that you have experienced—every disappointment, loss, hurt, and triumph—has led you here. It has made you the person you are today, and that is not a mistake. Know that eyes are upon you, not because of what you’ve done, but because of what God has done for, in, and through you through Jesus Christ. Like a city on a hilltop, you are empowered by God to stand strong in His love, strength, and power. You are showing those that are watching that if God will shine His light through you, He will do it for them to.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Like A City on A Hilltop ” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas. Copyright©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.