"You are the light of the world. A city located upon a mountain can not be hid. Neither are they burning a lamp and placing it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it is shining to all those in the house. Thus let shine your light in front of men, so that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father who is in the heavens."
Matthews Account 5: 14-16, Concordant New Testament
Where is your light shining? Better yet, who around you has been witness to your own belief in the Father? The other day, as I was recounting a few of the interactions between myself and my Gym Rat community, a good friend mentioned starting a Facebook page for this community which I find myself in. For now, I am holding off on this for a very important reason. This group, this community of now forty-seven members is something real and grass roots. What began as my own branching out to others around me has blossomed into a community of friends who come to gather in a common place. I admit that it has been through my own light that more than a few of these Gym Rats have come to see the works of the Father, but I'm not one to blow my own horn. For it not my own glory which is at stake here, but the praise and glory to God in Whom I have my being {Acts of the Apostles 17:25}. Granted, although I live my life through the Father, not everyone in this community is what many would refer to as a believer. That is the beauty of this group of people. Not all have been called to assemble here as if in some mainstream church. However, we gather for the purpose of bettering ourselves and to be among those we've come to know. There is little doubt that the world will come to know the Father through the lives and actions of those who know Him. Jesus speaks to this in His sermon on the Mount which we find in Matthew {Matthews Account 5:14-16}. He calls upon us to "Let your light shine in front of men" {Matthews Account 5:16}. That light is the Lord in Whom we have our life {Johns Account 14:20}. We do this not to bring ourselves credit, but that those around us will see our acts and glorify the Father Who is being shown through us {Matthews Account 5:16}. Many mainstream churches have included various ministries which are based off of the words of Jesus we find in Matthew. In my time in the church, I was involved in everything from men's ministry to working with Sunday school children as well. Yet not one of these ministries that I was involved in has made me feel more within the desire of God than that of these Gym Rats.
And everything, whatsoever you may be doing, in word or in act, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God, the Father, through Him
Paul to the Colossians 3: 17, Concordant New Testament
I've titled this page finding your place because I believe in my heart that all believers can and will find that place where their own light will shine. It may not even be a place per se, but allowing the light of the Father in you to shine for all around you to see. My good friend, whom I have been on the journey of discovering my own life in God, has found his own niche in a small group of friends who share in the same belief. Yet through the power of modern technology, his message, the light of the Father, has been observed by many outside of his circle of friends. I am thankful to have been a part of this with him as well. Through my friends podcasts, others have come to have their eyes opened to the truth of our life in the Father. He has found his place to allow the light of the Father in him to shine. I have another dear friend who used his morning coffee and bible study routine to allow the light of the Father to shine through him. As he would enjoy his coffee and quiet time in scripture, he would often engage those around him in casual conversation. These conversations were not always Jesus based, but were definitely always Christ led. To this day, my friend maintains a group of friends which he met while during his time in the coffee shop. We've referred to this as his Starbucks ministry for good reason. He has definitely found his place to allow the light of the Father to shine through him. Wherever you may be led, either through common interaction, work relationships or simply speaking to people in the local coffee shop, know that in that moment it will be the Father revealing Himself through you.
~Scott~
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