Be the Light of the World by Reflecting Christ

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV

As I walk down the street, there is not one face I see that Jesus doesn’t love. Not one. Every person I make eye contact with, Jesus died on the cross for them. So, I ask myself, “Do they see Jesus in me?”

On my own journey of life, I’ve realized how important authenticity is. As Christians, we can get caught up in the pressures of “being a good example.” Don’t get me wrong, living out what you believe in is important. Actions speak louder than words. Those actions must reflect a Christ-like love. I try my best to remember that it’s about how God sees me, and not what others think of me. That is the way I will show others around me just what my Jesus is all about.

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

1 John 3:18, NIV

I have been so guilty of being a people pleaser. So much so, that it brought me to tears. Several times, I have collapsed at Jesus’ feet and just fell apart. I kept asking myself why it was so hard “being a good Christian.” It seemed like the Lord, in His precious ways, kept reminding me to look at Him. Over time, I have realized that I kept grasping at everyone else around me and not Him. With much practice, I have started looking to the Lord and realizing that I am His, and that is enough.

To be the light of the world, I must look to Jesus as the ultimate example. Selflessness, honesty, bravery, forgiveness, humility, compassion, and fierce love. That is being the hands and feet of Jesus. I will always fall short, but the Father sees my heart and His grace is sufficient.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV

The day I accepted that I am a sinner with scars was the day I was set free. This sinner has many imperfections and scars, but Jesus takes them and makes them into a beautiful masterpiece. A masterpiece that attracts people to see a Savior, who purely loves broken people, like me.

We are all broken. That is the truth. We all need Jesus. Don’t be ashamed of your wounds. Jesus waits patiently for you to let Him show you what the cross is for.

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8, NIV

Rachel Jonas is a Southern-born, Jesus lover. She has a passion for sharing hope and encouragement, especially to those who deal with mental health battles, since she deals with her own. She firmly believes that “Through Christ, we are more than conquerors.” Check out her blog, Simply Sunshine.