“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Jim had gone through round after round of interviews for his dream job. Each one felt like a test to him. Every question, every handshake, every smile was carefully looked at and considered. By the time he reached the final interview with the company’s owner, his nerves were shot. The night before, he tossed and turned and kept looking at the alarm clock. He hardly slept a wink!
Ordinarily that would’ve spelled disaster. But oddly enough, it actually worked in Jim’s favor. When he sat across from the owner the next morning, he was too tired to be nervous. He didn’t overthink his answers or try to sound impressive. He just spoke from the heart plainly and calmly. He was too worn out to try and pretend.
When the interview ended, Jim braced himself for the usual polite dismissal: “Thanks for your time, we’ll be in touch.” But instead, the owner smiled and said, “Jim, you’re exactly the candidate we’ve been looking for. When can you start?”
That’s the funny thing about impressions – they’re being formed all the time. People notice things we don’t even think about… the way we talk to a cashier, how we respond when someone interrupts us, whether our words match our actions. And sometimes those impressions are fair, and sometimes they’re not. But whether we realize it or not, our lives are constantly on display.
Jesus knew that. That’s why He said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” He wasn’t telling us to perform for applause or to polish our image. He was essentially saying, Live in such a way that when people see you, they catch a glimpse of Christ.
Jim didn’t win over the owner with a perfect resume or rehearsed answers. It was his genuineness that made an impression. The same is true of our faith. In the end, it’s not the fancy words or showy deeds that make the difference. It’s the quiet light of Christ shining through our everyday actions… the kind of light that doesn’t just impress for a moment, but leaves a lasting impression that points back to God.
When people encounter me at work, in traffic, or at home, what impression do they leave with? Do they see just me… or do they see a little of Jesus?
Former Blackout Artist 