[ Today's Readings ]
Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket
or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand?
We are given light by Jesus. We must not keep it hidden. We may be tempted to hide the light for various reasons. We may not feel qualified as, perhaps, Timothy doesn't due to his young age. Through Paul God we are reminded not to give in to fear.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
Because of the Spirit God of power gives us we need not be ashamed of our testimony to the LORD. He does not call the qualified. Rather, he qualifies the called. Since he calls us we can be sure that he also equips us with all that we need. It is enough grace and strength even to "bear your share of hardship for the Gospel". These hardships, ranging from feeling awkward to genuine persecution, are what we usually fear. Well, here is the strength promised to bear them.
We must not hide the light. The recognition of this light, of "religious truth" as Paul says, is so important because in it is contained the hope of eternal life. We can't keep it to ourselves. Love refuses to remain bottled up inside of us.
He also told them, "Take care what you hear.
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you.
To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
We need to put this grace to use. Those who hide the light find that it is eventually taken from them. It is not given to us for ourselves alone. To keep it in is a failure to love. The light, unshared, ceases to be light, because by its very nature light is diffusive of itself.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
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