The 268 DeclarationShembull

A Desire to See Christ Celebrated Where I Live

You are the Light of the World.

Why?

Why does God call us into His story? Why does he appoint us as Christ's Ambassadors? Why does he send his helper, the Holy Spirit, to dwell within us and then call us to travel to the ends of the Earth as his witnesses?

For His Glory.

We who have been reconciled to God were so through Jesus Christ becoming sin on our behalf so that we could become righteousness. This transaction is the greatest act of love in history, and its story demands to be shared. God has chosen the very same reconciled sons and daughters to be the ones to do so. Our calling in life is to shine like a city on a hill so that as the world looks in our direction, they see, experience, and encounter Christ, ultimately turning towards Him in that same eternal reconciliation.

This is why we are commanded to live differently than those around us. It is the reason we work with excellence instead of excuses. It is why we go where the Spirit leads us, and it is why we pay close attention to our actions striving to live lives worthy of the Gospel. We do all of this so that as we shine, Christ gets the Glory. We ring our lives out on behalf of those around us so that they see His kindness and love. We respond to anger and pain with grace and compassion, so those who mock us will find themselves face-to-face with His mercy. We reflect his Glory into a dark world and, in doing so, call attention to the one who emanates the light.

In all that we do, we do it all for Jesus.

And so we pray: God, cause my life to be an unmistakable source of grace and hope to those around me.