You Are The Light of The World.
by Vance K Jackson of You Version

”Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.“ Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬ 

The Amplified Version expounds upon Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ in the following manner, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” May you shine. May the world see your moral excellence. May the world see your character. 

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭MSG‬‬ 

Choose to be a light. Share your gifts with the world. Share your wisdom with the world. You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. You are a city set on a hill. 

The Amplified Version expounds upon Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ in the following manner, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.“ 

Your gifts weren’t meant to stay hidden. Don’t sit on your gifts. Don’t let your talents stay stagnant. Your gifts, talents, skills, and abilities were meant to shine bright on a hill for the world to see. 

God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. For God has made you light-bearers. Every gift, skill, talent, and ability that God has deposited in you was intentionally given to you by God Himself. Do you think God is going to hide you under a bucket? 

God is putting you on a light stand. Now that He’s put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep your house open. Be generous with your lives. Live your life transparently—both in private and in public. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in Heaven. Share your gift generously.