“Unpocketed Faith”
Dear St. Andrew’s UM Church Family,
Have you ever accidentally activated your smartphone's flashlight? Maybe while it was in your purse or your pocket, just blazing away for no reason (I’ve done it with the camera app and ended up with 20 pictures of the inside of my pants pocket. All that powerful light (and all the phone’s energy!) is wasted. Jesus's words in Matthew 5:14 remind me of this modern parallel: "You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can't be hidden."
Many of us have grown comfortable keeping our faith tucked away, like that flashlight in a pocket. Perhaps we're worried about offending others, or we've bought into the idea that faith should be completely private. But Jesus's imagery of a city on a hill challenges this notion directly. He doesn't say we should be or could be visible – he states it as a fact: a city on a hill can't be hidden.
Think about that for a moment. In Jesus's time, cities were often built on hillsides for protection, and the light from their fires and torches would naturally shine out across the countryside at night. They weren't trying to be seen; they were seen because of what they were and where they were placed. In the same way, when we truly live out our faith, visibility isn't something we have to force – it becomes a natural outcome of who we are in Christ.
This doesn't mean we need to stand on street corners with megaphones or turn every conversation into a sermon. Instead, it's about letting the authentic light of Christ shine through our daily actions, conversations, and choices. It might look like:
- Responding with grace when others expect anger
- Speaking hope into somebody's desperate situation
- Making ethical choices in our workplace, even when costly
- Showing compassion to those others overlook
Sometimes we keep our light hidden because we feel inadequate or unprepared. Remember, though – Jesus didn't say "You will become the light" or "You should try to be the light." He said, "You are the light." It's not about perfection; it's about presence and authenticity.
As we move forward this month, I challenge each of us to consider: Where have we been keeping our light hidden? What would it look like to move that light from the pocket to the hillside? The world needs the hope, love, and truth we carry – not displayed with arrogance, but shared with humility and grace.
Let's step out of our comfort zones together, allowing God's light to shine naturally through our lives. After all, that's what cities on hills do.
In Christ’s Light,
Rev. Brian Lucas
P.S. I'd love to hear your stories of how God is helping you become more visible in your faith journey. Stop by my office or send me an email to share!
Rev. Brian Lucas, Pastor | blucas@susumc.org
Be sure to check out this article in our full newsletter from February 2025 - Click Here!
