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Bug Zappers (Matthew 5:16)
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”-Matthew 5:16[/perfectpullquote]Bug zappers fascinate me. The ultraviolet glow and the constant humming can be quite soothing and relaxing. And, if I’m being honest, I get a sense of satisfaction when I hear a bug touching the grid. When I was younger, my dad had a bug zapper on our front porch near our hot tub to try to keep the bugs out and, in the evenings, it would seem like a mosquito or moth would fly into the light every second. It was just a constant popping noise. The light of some bug zappers can attract insects within several thousand feet while other quite a bit less than that. What an ingenious, simple design.
I bring this up because sometimes, I can be like a bug zapper. I want people to be attracted to me and see what I’m doing. I want their focus to be on me and not anything or anyone else. How about you? Have you ever acted that way? Do you say things in public to draw people’s attention? Do you post things on social media to see how many likes, comments, or shares you get? While there is nothing wrong with posting on social media or talking in public, you should ask yourself “why am I saying/doing this?” If your intent is to get attention and validation, then you too are acting like a bug zapper and not fulfilling your true purpose in life.
In Matthew 5:14, Jesus calls His followers “the light of the world.” It is who we are. We are called to be light and to let it shine for all of the world to see, but not to gain any sort of fame or recognition. We are to be light to show those around us who Jesus is and what He has done for them. It can difficult being that kind of light, but that is what we are called to do. So, how do we do it? How do we become the light of the world that God desires us to be? Well, in Matthew 5:16, Jesus says that we should do good works in front of others, but not for the purpose of gaining recognition. We do these good works so that God can be glorified. When we shine, we should not be like a bug zapper and having people focus on us, instead, we should be more like a beam of light that directs people to the Savior.
How many people do you attract without pointing them to God? When we, as believers, do good works to honor ourselves, we are keeping people from glorifying and honoring God. So, how do you go from being a bug zapper to being a disciple who shows others to God? First of all, we need to have humility and admit that God is more deserving of praise than we are. Secondly, we need to be aware that when we are getting people to focus on us, we are robbing them from knowing and experiencing the true love that God has for them. Lastly, we need to see those around us as God sees them – people who are lost and looking for a Savior. Let’s be their guide.
– Pastor David Guenin
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