I love New York City, but I hate crowds. Thus, I found myself extremely conflicted when I went to New York during the holiday season this year. I landed at Newark, met my wife and her family, and ventured into the dead-center of the city. It was the day after Christmas. There were people everywhere — all of them walking in the same direction. We swam through the crawling crowds for nearly an hour, with each block the population seemed to double.

Finally, we turned the corner at Fifth Avenue and there it was — that big tree at Rockefeller center. I was excited to see it because I had just watched the live lighting ceremony. It looked absolutely gorgeous on television. However, it did not looked pretty lame in person. It was just a massive, brown tree in the middle of a city block. It was still covered in over 50,000 lights, but it looked dull. The lights simply didn’t have the same impact in broad daylight. Why is that? Light is most effective in the dark.

READ: Matthew 5:14-16
“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 its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

In this passage, Jesus is saying that you are the light. When Jesus comes into our lives and lights us up, we are like a city on a hill. His love changes us into people who radiate love, joy, hope, and compassion that is evident to anyone who sees the way we live. Jesus was likely motioning over to the city of Tiberius, which was nestled just across the Sea of Galilee, while he was teaching this parable. It was a large metropolis perched atop a hill. At night, you could see that city from far, far away. The same should be said about you! Jesus is teaching us that we should stand out from our surroundings in a beautiful way. The light inside you should shine around you. Everyone should be able to see that there is something different about you.

Have you ever used your cell phone’s screen as a flash light? During the day, the glow is practically unnoticeable. However, it can light-up a whole room at night. This proves an important principle. Light destroys darkness. No matter how much darkness is surrounding us, a little bit of light will draw it out. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Sadly, our world can be full of darkness — bullying at school, depression, destructive lies, broken relationships, and so much pain. Be the light by illuminating those dark situations. Reveal God’s goodness and love everywhere you go. Your love can overcome hate. Your encouragement can speak louder than lies that tear down. Your friendship can change the entire direction of someone’s life.

Here is the challenge — be the light.
There is a whole lot of darkness around you every day. You need to be like a light and change the environment.
If there are kids in your school who always sit alone — be the light.
If you know someone going through a really hard time in their family — be the light.
If someone’s whole mood has changed recently and you’re worried about them — be the light.

Light can drive out darkness. Light can change lives. Are you being the light? Or just casting a shadow?