Are You Living Out Loud?

 By Andrea Merrell

 

So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others,

so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them,

and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

 

Years ago, when I said something about praying for our neighbor’s salvation, my grandfather assured me it was none of our business whether the man was a Christian or not. We needed to “tend to our own beeswax.”

 

My grandfather was a very private person. He read the Bible every day and went to church, but he never felt comfortable talking about the Lord. He even gave his tithes and offerings in cash so no one would know. It saddened me that he had so much love to give others but kept it to himself. Unfortunately, this was how he was raised.

 

Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying we should boast about what we do to be admired by others. In fact, Jesus warns us about that in Matthew 6:1. But He also doesn’t expect us to be “closet Christians.”

 

Living out loud simply means loving, being generous, and telling others about the Lord whenever we have the opportunity. It’s allowing people to see the joy of the Lord that gives us strength and the peace that passes understanding. It’s praying for and encouraging those in need, lending a helping hand. It’s being passionate about our faith. Shining our light in a dark world.

 

Are you living out loud?

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Jolee G.)

 

TWEETABLE

Are you shining your light in a dark world and living out loud? via @AndreaMerrell(Click to tweet.)

 

 

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.