Shine – Br. Luke Ditewig
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Mark 4:21-25
No one covers a lamp with a basket or puts it under a bed, says Jesus. Hiding a lamp makes it ineffective. A lamp is made to share light, to be out in the open so others may see. Matthew adds: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”[i] We are made to shine, to illuminate, to point people to God, not hiding or keeping to ourselves.
Yesterday in the text preceding this we heard a parable.[ii] Like the wild sower, God is recklessly generous, scattering seed everywhere, including where there is little chance of bearing fruit. Like the different soils, we vary in our receptivity, while God keeps loving, generously sharing.
To receive such generosity and to share it means being vulnerable—risky, emotional, exposed—and this is how we are created to be. Fear and shame prompt hiding or hording. Jesus says as a lamp is for a room, we are to receive, be seen, and shine.
Jesus continues: “The measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given to you.” Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way in The Message: “Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” Blessed, we are to be a blessing. Loved, we are to love. Receiving reckless generosity, show up and shine. Don’t hide or keep it to yourself.
How is God inviting you today to share what you have received, to be generous giving love? How may you be vulnerable today by listening well and in sharing your voice?
Let your light shine.
[i] Matthew 5:15
[ii] Mark 4:1-20
Good reminder every day. Should be served with a dose of humility at the same time may it be so. Paula Waterman.
Brother Luke, your comments resonated quite a bit with me. Last year, my wife & I retired. Like many people, we downsized. The day after we moved, we found our best friend dead. We were faced with the task of giving away many things of our own as well as things belonging to our friend. While the process was difficult, we sought to give with joy in our hearts as we parted with things. The thankfulness we witnessed in people’s eyes gave us immense pleasure. Generosity is the way to go!
George, thank you for sharing your experience. Prayers for your friend.
My husband and I are a few years ahead of you and your wife in retiring and we have found downsizing to be a process rather than event. Attachments to “things” that were important or helpful even a few years ago have continued to melt away as we’ve turned our eyes more to the Lord. And I agree, the thankfulness is a true blessing.
We pray for you and your wife as you continue your journey!
Thank you again!
Absolutely! If everyone heeded this bit of wisdom, the world would be a better place. Thank you.
Covering up your light can set the house on fire! Less literally but more importantly, when we don’t share what we have, that which we have becomes less ours, making us less able to enjoy our blessings.
Brother Robert Julian, OC
Comment for Brother Luke
Jesus continues: “The measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given to you.” Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way in The Message: “Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” Blessed, we are to be a blessing. Loved, we are to love. Receiving reckless generosity, show up and shine. Don’t hide or keep it to yourself.
Thanks for your wise words. I have often experienced this. Whatever we give, be it helping somebody else, pulling weeds in the church yard….., one always gets blessings back, in another form……that is.
Brother Luke I love this quote-is it a part of a bigger piece? And is that available?
Thank you for sharing. I think some cannot afford at offering so they are not really hiding.
Another time they can be generous.
I have found myself in that position many times but there are so many other ways to be generous too … with kind words, helping hands, time, joy, food, hugs, and so on. It really does come back in blessing every time, and brings joy to me too.
Well said, Bethany! We too often think dollars and cents are the only real way to give, but a gift of time, a listening ear, a kind word, can often be what is needed far more.