Only One Opinion Matters

In Matthew 5:14 it says, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” (NLT)

If we’re not sure who we really are, then we can be manipulated and molded by the pressures, problems, and people around us—and that leads to stress!

Culture is constantly trying to fit me into its mold. When I’m confused and unclear about my identity, when I don’t really know who I am, it makes me more vulnerable to the culture’s influence. Until I settle in my mind that God loves me unconditionally and that I’m a child of God, I’m going to be prone to stress. 

Jesus never had any doubts about his identity. In fact, 18 times in Scripture he publicly declared who he was. These are called his “I am” statements, like, I am the Light of the World. I am the Son of God. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I am the Bread of Life. Jesus made it clear that he knew exactly who he was.

In John 8:18, Jesus said, “I testify on my own behalf” (GNT). He didn’t need other people to tell him who he was. He didn’t look to others for validation.

When I depend on other people’s opinions for validation, I won’t be resilient to stress. Because if I don’t know who I am, then other people will decide for me. They’ll force me into a mold, and I’ll get stressed trying to be someone I’m not. I’ll end up pretending and wearing a mask. It will wear me out! This reminds me of Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (NIV)

Jesus knew he was the Light of the World. But he also said the same thing about me: “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14 NLT). I need to realize how special I am. Not because of what other people say but because of what God says. There’s nobody in the world exactly like me.

Can a city on top of a hill be hidden? Its light at night can be seen for miles. If I live for Christ, I will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. I hide my light by (1) being quiet when I should speak, (2) going along with the crowd, (3) denying the light, (4) letting sin dim my light, (5) not explaining my light to others, or (6) ignoring the needs of others. I need to be a beacon of truth and not shut my light off from the rest of the world.

I must accept the truth about me—my strengths and my limitations and weaknesses. God made me with all of those things, and he has given me everything I need to do his will.

When I accept that, I’ll be secure in my identity and a lot less stressed. 

Now We Know What God Is Like

In John 12:46 it says, “I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in the darkness.” (TLB)

What am I confused about? Maybe today my mind feels muddled about my future, a relationship, finances, work, or health. Whatever is causing me confusion, I need to shine God’s light on it.

Jesus said, “I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in the darkness” (John 12:46 TLB).

Even though I may not have all the answers or don’t fully understand what’s going on, God never meant for me to be in the dark about myself and my life. Most of all, he doesn’t want me to be in the dark about who he is. Jesus Christ came to earth to show us what God is really like.

I can’t relate to an impersonal force in the sky. That’s why God came to earth in human form—so I can understand what he’s like.

Why is that important? Because a lot of my fears and worries and problems are caused by being in the dark about who God is. But when I know what God is like, then I can learn to worry a lot less and as a result be less stressed.

When I don’t know what God’s like, I tend to avoid him. I’m more likely to be afraid of him. As a result, I don’t bring my problems to him and instead try to solve them myself. I can’t love and trust somebody I don’t know!

People often say, “My idea of God is . . .” That means they’re just guessing what God is like. But when it comes to knowing God, we don’t need guesses. We need the truth.

Jesus said in John 14:9, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” (TLB).

Because of Christmas, I have seen what God is like. I know the truth about who God is because Jesus came into the world the same way I did: by being born.

There are some things about God I would never know unless he became a human. How do I know that God is loving or forgiving or eternal? Because Jesus told us, and he showed us by the way he lived his life.

I don’t have to live in the dark anymore. Jesus came at Christmas to shine a light into every part of my life so I can live in freedom, clarity, and joy.

In summary, we often wonder what God is like. How can we know the Creator when he doesn't make himself visible? Jesus said plainly that those who see him see God, because he is God. If we want to know what God is like, study the person and words of Jesus Christ.