Being a Light, Especially in High School
By Holly Hortsch, March 27, 2017
Being a christian in high school is legitimately hard work. Constantly trying to pursue people, tell them how much Jesus loves them, and convincing them to come to camp or Younglife can make you look crazy easily. But here’s the thing -- we still have to do it. One of the best things you can do for anyone is love them deeply as Christ loved you. No matter how many times they laugh or refuse, keep praying for them. We are lamps for the house of God, ready to shine on to every one else.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl, instead, they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15 NIV)
My younger sister isn’t adamantly against religion, but we didn’t exactly grow up in a christian household memorizing bible verses and going to church every Sunday. My dad went to a Catholic church on Easter and Christmas only, which he pulled us along too, and we dreaded it. My mom didn’t really get a long with the whole “church concept”, and never forced us into anything. (My parents would, inevitably, get divorced in years to come.) My sister and I would eventually become a team over the next few, but pivotal, years of our lives. She got into horse back riding and meeting new people at school, while I was in the depths of honors classes and younglife meetings. I always knew I had to eventually talk to her about Jesus at some point, but I also always knew she thought it would be pointless and awkward. Whenever my grandparents asked me about younglife, they would ask her, “why don’t you do younglife, Heidi?!” Heidi always said that “it wasn’t her thing”, which could have been true. Younglife specifically might not be her “thing”, but Jesus could be! I wished I could have just told her that, but she would shut me out.
Scripture tells us to profess His word to others, to bring them to Him and live with Christ. Sometimes though, it’s not that simple. We gently prod at people to get a feel for what they already think of Christianity, and not to often does it have a positive connotation among high school students.
So it is here that we are called for His good and glory, to call other people into His love, or for that matter, knowing His love. Everyone in God’s kingdom is loved fully by Him, whether they choose to acknowledge it or not, they are loved. And that is the main message that needs to be spread is love. To spread His great love, we must first love every one around us unconditionally, to let others become intrigued. “Why are they so happy all the time?” or “what do they have to smile about?” people might start questioning. And this is the key part: love others as He has loved you unconditionally, and those you give your love to can find His love through yours.
“You did not choose me, but I chose and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last--and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: love each other.” (John 15:16-17 NIV)
And we, as daughters and children of God, were given the ability and gift of sharing His word to others. Giving His word to someone else has an immeasurable impact that can change lives and give love. Being a light isn’t just about “loving thy neighbor”, but also it is about serving through His strength whenever possible. Because the strength you receive through Him is not to be put to waste, but to be used to express his light through whatever you do. No job or task is not too small to be able to share the word in it. Whatever you were called to do, He will provide you with the gifts and strength to live out His word in it.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV)
Now that we’ve discussed sharing and loving with others, what is this “light” we’re supposed to be sharing? How can we be the light itself? This verse lays it out pretty clearly for us: God is the light. Him in Himself is the brightest light to ever exist, and being a light for others means living with the full intent of having Jesus Christ in your heart.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet e walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7 NIV)