Matthew 5:16

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Of all the inventions for the military, I am most impressed by their night vision goggles. The need for them is quite obvious. When carrying out an operation during the night, it is vital to see where you are going.  One such solution was to have a flash light mounted on the gun. While that would provide the ability to see better, it would also make the user a very obvious target. Instead they created night vision goggles so that one could travel along without making a spectacle of one’s self.

As Christians, the primary function of night vision goggles is vital to us as well. Just like the soldier walking around at night, we are traveling in a world of darkness. It is important that we have the ability to see the path that leads us to righteousness. For that we have the light of God. That light is the word of God, which will guide and direct our steps (Psalm 119:105). If we try to walk without God’s word, we will trip and fall all over the place over the rocks and pitfalls Satan sets before us. Only by walking according to the light can we safely navigate our way through this life.

However, sometimes Christians use the word of God a bit too much like night vision goggles.  We use it in such a way that no one else would ever see or know that we were using it. However that is the exact opposite of what God wants. Night vision goggles are used so as to avoid attention. When we use the word of God, we do it so we can attract attention, even from our enemies. We do so not for our own glory, but for the glory of God. We want to illuminate not only our own steps but also all those who would follow in that light. We do no good if we hide our light from others. But if we let it shine bright, we can be profitable servants for the Lord our God.

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.