It was Good Friday. She walked into my office and sat down. So. She said. It’s Good Friday, so that’s when Jesus died. Right? And then he ascended on Easter Sunday. No. I said. Jesus died on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday, he arose from the dead. Then he ascended to heaven 40 days later. Oh. She said. I never get this straight, and I just want to make my mom proud.

The thing is. She and I have never had conversations about faith or the church or spiritual matters. Yet she walks into my office and asks me these questions as if she knows that I would know the answer. Why didn’t she ask someone else? Why would she think I knew the answer?

She is the one who speaks insults to others. She uses the f-bomb as casually as any other word in her vocabulary. She has a very poor work ethic. She bends the truth to suit herself. She gossips as if life depends on it. She has lived with boyfriend after boyfriend trying to find the one true love. She lied to her landlord about the dog living in her apartment. She’s unsettled. She’s looking for something to satisfy the deepest longing of her soul. She’s looking for something more. And yet she’s unaware that she’s looking.

I’m not judging her. I’m just stating the facts. But she’s watching. She’s listening. She’s paying far more attention than I gave her credit for. Oh. She sees what I do and what I don’t do. She hears what I say and what I don’t say. She knows that the two of us have little in common. Yet she comes to me with these questions.

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Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

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I realize my life is on display. I’ve asked God repeatedly why he has me in this place. I’ve questioned the reasoning of his wisdom. He says stay. You are needed in this place. You are equipped to be there. Perhaps it’s not the work itself that has the most value for me. Perhaps it’s the light I bring into a dark corner of the world that is needed the most. Perhaps I am the instrument of peace and hope.

I find that in order for my light to shine in that small place, I must continually run to Jesus with my shortcomings and doubts. And perhaps in the midst of my frail humanity, others see a strong reliance upon the One who holds the whole world in his hands. Yet he also holds me at the same time.

I must never take for granted the work that I do. Or the place that I’ve been called to. God has a purpose. A plan for me that is bigger than my dreams or plans. I need to be obedient and willing to do as he asks. To share his love with the lost and lonely and hurting. With those who need his love and peace more than they need anything else.

This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine;
this little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine;
this little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine;
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.