This I Believe:  Disappearing Is Not Our Role

Monday, February 1, 2016

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

This might surprise you, but songwriter and performer Bob Dylan, is a believer in God, the Bible, and life eternal.  His views are fascinating and he has made many statements about his faith.  But one of the quotes attributed to Mr. Dylan inspires me to, respectfully, disagree.  Mr. Dylan says, “Being noticed can be a burden. Jesus got himself crucified because he got himself noticed. So I disappear a lot.”

My friends, we are not called to disappear.  We are not even called to play small.  We are called, in the Gospel of Matthew, to let our lights shine, and then offer the joy and the credit to God.  In this way those who see our good works will praise God.

Being noticed can be a burden.  It can get us in trouble.  It can cause unwelcomed attention, but if we are noticed for the things of God; if we are noticed for telling the truth in love, for serving others, for standing for justice and righteousness; if we are noticed for these things, then God will be pleased.

May we go into our week seeking attention, not for ourselves, but for the things of God’s kingdom.  And may we give thanks to God for allowing us to shine our light on these very things.