14 Days to Integrating Faith and FitnessSample

Be the Light

Jesus calls His followers "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). Why is that? Because we live in a world that's full of darkness. It is in need of light. We get to live as light, bringing hope, healing, and restoration to everything we do and everyone we meet. We don't do this because we have innate abilities, but because we serve a God who is in the business of love. 

It’s easy to slide into the thinking that I’m working out, running, lifting, swimming, and getting fit for me. But God has created you for more than that. He created you to be light in the corners of a dark room. He created you to shine a light where our culture may be tempted to just leave the light off because of guilt, shame, and hopelessness.

This isn’t the type of light that simply exposes, brings attention to, and thereby sensationalizes the dark. It also isn’t the type of light that says, “Hey, there’s some darkness, let’s distance ourselves.” This is the type of light that floods a room, makes you squint, and suddenly helps everything become visible. This is the light of hope and life. Jesus doesn’t simply flood into our lives to expose, but to redeem. He shows us the dark places and remind us that’s why he died and rose. For us.

If you have dark places in your life right now, let the light of Jesus shine brightly there. Not so you’re crippled with pain and guilt. Let the light shine in those dark corners because with Jesus, you have nothing to hide. Jesus loves you even when you’re far away. Even when you’re locked up in your sin. That’s when his love is beautifully demonstrated.