"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light in this world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of the World." - John 8:12 NIV

Once upon a time, I was in the darkness... slave to sin... bound to hell. But after i have known Jesus and came to believe and trust Him... my way and life is being lighted up by Him. Now i can see clearly and know what it means to really live your life.

Once you become a child of God, there is a light within you, don't hide it or keep it to yourself rather you let it shine within you- manifest that light.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden...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

A light is intended in the dark... a light is of no use in a bright place... It can only be expose in the darkness.

What I'm trying to say is that, be a light to those who are in the dark... Set yourself as a living proof that God exist. In your actions, draw them closer to God... by doing God's will and command. If it has to then, expose evil in order to manifest your light.

In this evil world, strive to do good even if others aren't. Be kind even if they're rude to you, be patient, be understanding, be loving do it for Him, for Jesus, to the one who loves us.

Titus 3: 1-7 says it all...

"Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." -Titus 3: 1-7 NKJV

To be good to everyone, to be understanding because we were once like them.

Being a light means doing God's command to us. His will be done not my will be done.

God says in the Bible and this statement sums up what God wants us to do:

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:30-31

That verse says it all... about what you should do with your life.

1. Love God with your all.

2. Love your neighbour as yourself.

If we say love, you will do everything that will please that person... for the good and what is best for that person, right? And not to harm that person.

Well, how about your enemies? What are we suppose to do with them?

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven..." - Matthew 5:43-45

God wants you to love your neighbours and your enemies! I know it's going to be hard but that God's command. In that way God is being glorified in our lives...because hating someone will lead us in nothing but sin. And that sin leads to death.

When Jesus was being betrayed by Judas and was captured, He knew He was going to die... and to those people contributing in the process of killing Him... to His enemies, what did He do?

"And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do..." - Luke 23:34

He prayed for them. He is asking God the Father that these people didn't know what they were doing. He prayed. Asking God to forgive them.

He is selfless. Jesus cares about people, about their soul. And that is what love is about being selfless for the person you love. And if you love, you wouldn't want to hurt the person you love. God is asking, commanding us to love everyone.

And like what i said before, the greatest manifestation of love is to die for that person you love, would you die for me? For your friends. I bet it'll be hard dying for your enemies?!

Maybe for your family, yes! Because i would do it for my family, my parents and my siblings but i don't think i would die for you... But Jesus died for us, He did it out of love.

Starting today, life isn't going to be easy... it never was and it will never be! The only difference is that we have a God to run to when the situation seems impossible and disturbing. And it could be that the only reward we get in this world is that we know and have believed in Jesus. Though that will be a fact, still I wouldn't trade Him for the world.

In doing God's will and command we might lose some people in our live... being a light means we could lose people we value mainly because they don't want to be expose... they rather stay in the dark... but take courage, some people might go but God will lead and guide other people in your life that knows your worth.

I believe there is a reward in every struggle or circumstances we overcome:

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

That crown of life is our salvation and eternal life we have received.

I like what i have read the other time on tumblr,

"Jesus died for you in public, so don't you live for Him in private." - Unknown

Love needs to be manifested. It has to be shown. So that the person whom you love will know it and feel it.

Just as Jesus manifested His love for us on the cross, and that act of love lighted up our lives... We can show our love to God by simply living for Him even if the waves of life seems unbearable.

Manifest your love, your light to others. Manifest God's goodness in you despite the negativity you're experiencing. So that God will be glorified. That's the challenge, to be good, patient, understanding, silent, generous, loving, ... even during your worst time, ...because you can always be kind, good, generous, loving in times you are blessed/happy. The question then will be, how about when you're not in the mood?

Being a light also means to not conform to the world rather to conform only to God and to be like Jesus, that is to say, in times when you're mad, the world teaches us to curse the person we hate or beat that person up or kill him. Revenge comes to mind, right? That's what is normal to the world but then God says love your enemies, to pray for them... And that should be made normal! if you have someone, who is up against you in a position/promotion... the world would say to bring them down but God says to encourage people to lift them up, it doesn't matter who they are, who you are matters, remember you are God's child.

For you to become a light, you going to become different from the world.

Jesus is different from the world. The world teaches us how to be self-centred, it's all about you, your pride, your social standing, your wealth, your wellbeing, your safety, your dreams, your desires... The world screams "It's all about me!" mindset.

But guess what, Jesus taught us to be selfless... He came down from heaven's throne, to serve His people. He died for His people; He died for the sins of His people. He died to save His people. He died to give His people- life.

Jesus led His people by serving them.

Jesus loved His people by dying for them.

Jesus forgave and prayed for those who hate Him.

Many more incredible feats He did in this world, and we know that He is the light of this world because of the acts He did that has shine through the lives of His people. And when you receive Him and know what He did, by faith and by the Holy Spirit. You are not just His people... You are God's child and you ought to be different...

...different from the world but one with Christ. That's the rule. You can't have both. You either gain one and lose the other.

Let that light of yours shine during your darkest moments. Only then can God acknowledge you.

Wx|