Goals and resolutions: Goodness – 9 February 2022
By Charlea Sieberhagen-Grey
(Di)temana ya Bibele
MATEU 5
In the Bible, when one reads about the lamp that is supposed to be on the lampstand, Jesus’ message is very clear: You need to let your light shine so that everyone is able to see it. You need to live in such a manner that everyone around you knows that you are a child of God.
God wants us to do good deeds and live the right way so that our conduct can be testimony of faith – a light in a dark world. To do good to others and doing good deeds are, indeed, “fruit of the Spirit” as read in Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Well, it may seem as though you need a good dollop of self-confidence or even be a bit vain to let your light shine and to show the world what a good person you are. However, I can say with reasonable certainty that this is not the truth. On the contrary, if you really think about it, the image of a light in a pitch-black room is so powerful. Just think about a little candle flickering when the electricity has just gone out. There is something so reassuring about even the tiniest light when you are sitting on your own in a dark house.
The same applies to goodness. It is gratifying and reassuring to hear about and know people who do good things for others. After all, we live in a world where we often feel overwhelmed by hardship, heartbreaking events and bad news.
We should, therefore, never underestimate the value of a little bit of goodness demonstrated to others, no matter what it is. Even if your light is a flickering match … It will mean something to someone.
Prayer: Dear God, please help me to be a light in a world where it can so easily feel as though the darkness of heartache and hardship will overwhelm us. Help me to do good to other people and to show that I am your servant. Amen
