In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

It was a number of years ago that one of my friends moved into a new home.

Since the house had not been lived in for some time, the garden was filled with waist-high weeds. One day, my friend, looking from an upstairs window, saw a red rose blooming in the garden. When he went downstairs to pick the blossom, it took him a while to locate it, as the unwanted weeds hid it.

My friend said he had never seen another rose look so pretty. "Perhaps," he mused, "it was because that flower was encircled by so much ugliness."

It's impossible to watch the news and not believe that the world like that garden is filled with ugliness. Prejudice, pain, and hurt are all around. In contrast to the ugliness of the world, we have the beautiful love of the Savior who gave His life so we might have life eternal.

Transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, we who were once wicked weeds are remade into a garden of great beauty. At least that's the way it's supposed to work. Looking down from heaven upon His people who are living a life of thanksgiving, the Lord ought to comment, "I don't think I've ever seen anything prettier than those Christians. In a weedy world they just stand out."

God grant that He says that about all of us today.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Dear God, this dark world is filled with pain and ugliness. The presence of Your Son gives the ability to bloom and be sources of beauty to those who believe in Him. May my life always be a shining light before others, so that they may see Your love and the hope it offers. In Jesus' Name. Amen.


This Daily Devotion was originally published May 11, 2008.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 9, 11    John 8:1-27

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