Let your light shine

My wife and I just returned from a cruise where we met three restaurant workers who became our friends: Leslie, Leeroy, and Esther. We discovered each was a committed Christian. As we became better acquainted, it became obvious that each demonstrated their faith uniquely. Their personalities were different, but Christ shone through all of them.

Leslie is from the Philippines and is a walking ray of sunshine. Her contagious joy is obvious to every diner, and she loves to make others laugh. Leslie has worked for the cruise company for over 20 years.

Leeroy is much more reserved, but his kindness and consistent service to every diner were amazing. He is from India and has worked for his company for more than 15 years.

Esther, from Kenya, greets diners as they arrive each evening. My wife, Kelly, and I were impressed by her sweet attitude as she dealt with diners who are sometimes less than cooperative when they arrive for dinner hungry.

Our friends are serious about their faith and eventually shared how they are part of a weekly Bible study group. Meeting these Christians from such varied backgrounds and with different personalities made me think of something Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. “You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NLT)

As I reflected on how they do their jobs, I realized that Leslie, Leeroy, and Esther were, in their own context, doing exactly what Jesus described. Their good deeds show God’s love to those they serve each day. Our friends’ kindness demonstrates the power of loving faith when it is lived out in daily life.

They work hard, typically serving others for 10 to 11 hours each day, seven days a week. While they meet many nice guests, they also encounter difficult ones. One admitted to occasionally walking away from a table in tears.

Despite their challenges, each reflects God well. They are doing what Jesus challenges each of us to do: live lives that draw others to our heavenly Father. The question for each of us is, how can we represent God in a way that will draw others to him this week? Let your light shine!