Matthew 5: 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 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.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
What kind of light are you giving off? I must remind myself of that very question every day and sometimes every moment. When I would choose to take my eyes off Christ and focus on my own petty or selfish desires, what kind of light can I shine? One that would glorify my Father? I daresay not. When I let myself get caught up in self, I may become filled with "hurts" thinking someone has wronged me or not noticed my efforts. When I let myself get caught up in my own guilt, I allow myself so much pride as to say Christ’s death was not enough to cover my sin. What a foolish bunch we humans can be and it is a wonder that God would choose us to bestow His love, Mercy and Grace upon. We need to be ever mindful of our thoughts, our words, and our actions so that we may bring honor to our Heavenly Father. The only way that we may reach that or attain that is to keep our focus on Him, dying to our self-centered desires. He is our true light John 12:
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
We have no light of our own; therefore, the only way that we might "shine a light that would glorify the Father" is by shining forth the light and the righteousness that has been imputed to us by Christ Himself. That true light of the gospel of the Knowledge of Christ has been darkened in this world and we as His children must forever be about the business of pouring forth His light from within these broken vessels of clay. 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Indeed, instead of moaning when trials come, realize that chips in this clay pot only allow the light from within to shine out.