You are the Light of the World
As the 2019 comes to a close with the long, dark nights of December, we conclude our year long spiritual goal journey with one final monthly goal.
Without Christ, life is overshadowed by the power of darkness (Luke 1:79, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13). God’s Word is our Light in this dark place, and the Light of God’s Word was embodied in God’s own Son – “the dayspring from on high.” We, too, are to follow His example – we are to be filled with the Light of the Word, and are titled the “children of light.”
Over the course of the year, we first focused on establishing spiritual disciplines – daily intake of the Word, meditation, prayer, and study. To share the Light with others, we must be filling ourselves with the Light.
This month we want to take the time to assess how we are doing as a “Light to the World.” Many of our ecclesias may be involved in preaching efforts and perhaps some of us are contributors towards those efforts. However, for this month’s goal, we want to focus on introspectively assessing how we are doing at “preaching” on an individual, personal level.
Seven Questions for Self Assessment and Goal Setting
The following questions may guide your assessment and help to create goals for yourself for this month.
- Without a word, won by behavior (1 Peter 1:3). Actions speak louder than words! Does our behavior – our choices, our character, our attitude – show clearly what we believe to those around us?
- Not ashamed (Romans 1:16, 1 Timothy 1:8-12). Are there circumstances that we can identify that we would prefer to not share the power of the gospel because of how it may reflect on us?
- Prayer (Colossians 4:3). Do we pray for opportunity “that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ”?
- Praying for others. Do we pray for missionaries and those actively involved in preaching efforts that God may give them an open door for the word?
- Be prepared (1 Peter 3:15). Are we prepared if anyone “asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” to give an answer “with gentleness and respect”?
- Be intentional. When we know who we may be crossing paths with or who we may have opportunity to chat with, are we prepared to do so? Do we mentally prepare with good conversation starters and questions to ask?
- Seeking. Do we actively pursue those who are lost instead of passively waiting for them to come to us?
Here is the monthly journal page, to keep track your goals:
Monthly Discipline Journal Page December
Also, don’t forget to print off a monthly attribute page to think through an attribute (or spiritual fruit) that you would like to focus on this month!