“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:16
The Church is more than a mere building; it is the living body of Christ. Its effectiveness is not confined to a physical space, nor does it rest solely upon a few individuals. God has called all of us, especially the laity, to be the light of the world, allowing our lights to shine, and glorifying our Father (Matthew 5:14-16). The impact of the Church, both in the collective (big C) and in our local congregations (little c), shines brightest when every individual’s light has the opportunity to shine.
In Church culture, there’s a tendency to place emphasis on the preaching microphone as the ultimate expression of ministry. However, ministry exists within all of us. Whatever our roles may be – nurses, teachers, encouragers – everything we do should be ministry.
Consider the story of Joseph, who was, in fact, a layperson. When Pharaoh, a secular king, had dreams that he couldn’t shake, he learned of a young inmate whose light shone through the gift of dream interpretation (Genesis 41:9-13). Joseph’s God-given skills would prove crucial in saving the nation from famine.
Pharaoh sought Joseph’s counsel, and Joseph essentially crafted his own job description. As he revealed God’s plan to save the nation, Pharaoh recognized that Joseph was the only one who could execute it. This recognition not only led to Joseph’s release from prison but also to his promotion as prime minister of the nation, allowing his light to shine in a way that was beyond what he could have imagined in Canaan (Genesis 41:37-45).
It is critical to understand that Pharaoh did not ask Joseph to lead a national prayer meeting or put on a clergy collar and deliver sermons. Instead, Pharaoh recognized the value of Joseph’s existing God-given skills, urging him to lead a non-preaching, non-credentialed secular undertaking. That alone will preach.
Joseph’s gifts and talents were not only crucial for the king but also instrumental in saving the entire nation, including God’s chosen remnant – which today is the Church. Although Jesus has already paved the way for the Church’s preservation, we need to recognize that each of us possesses unique gifts, tailor-made to meet specific needs in our local churches.
Jesus was a problem solver, and as His representatives, we are likewise called to be problem solvers. A life of salvation is a life of continuous problem-solving. Therefore, it is a disservice to the world and a dishonor to God if we restrict problem-solving and light-shining to the pulpit. Each of our local churches is full of opportunities for us to make a difference, and each problem awaits a spirit-empowered problem solver, representing the ultimate problem solver – Jesus Christ.
Today, more than ever, the laity matters. So, laity, shine forth, shine brightly, and witness how God receives all the glory through your shining. After all, the laity in ministry know that it makes no difference who gets the credit as long as God gets the Glory. (Dr. Kyle J. Boyer)
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