Letting Your Light Shine

Former professional basketball player, Charles Barkley, is almost as famous for running his mouth as he is for being the "Round Mound of Rebound." Several years ago he made the emphatic statement, “I am not a role model!” What Sir Charles didn’t realize, or just refused to recognize, is that, like it or not, he was a role model. Millions of young kids watched him play basketball. They wore his jersey. They bought his shoes. They imitated his jump shot. They aspired to be like him. He may not have asked for it. He may not have particularly liked it, but the influence could not be denied.

Whether you are a professional athlete or just an average Joe like me, we all have influence. Some have a grander stage, but we all have the power to influence others, whether for good or bad. What Charles Barkley failed to acknowledge is that, as a professional basketball player, he didn’t just represent himself. He represented the fans, the organization he played for, his teammates and his family. Every time he acted out by throwing a fit on the court or by getting in trouble off the court, he cast a negative light on himself and all those who were associated with him.

As Christians, we have to understand that we represent more than just ourselves. Romans 14:7-8 reads, “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world.” Remember that in John 8:12 Jesus claimed to be the "light of the world." Scripture also tells us that God is light (1 Jn. 1:5). Therefore, Jesus is paying us quite a compliment when He refers to us as lights of the world. It would mean that we share in the characteristics of God and Jesus. It also means that He demands nothing less than for us to be like Him. The light we shine is not our own. We are not light because of some illuminating power within us. We are light because of our connection to the source of light— Jesus Christ. The light we shine is a reflection of Him; therefore, it’s not about us and whether we want to be a role model or not. We are! Our influence is directly connected to our identity. Because of who we are and who we represent, we are to be influential.

Like it or not, we all have influence. The question is: Are we a good influence or a bad influence?

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:16