The Power of a Mother’s Light
Did you know that mothers have a significant impact on this world?
Not only do they raise children into the people they will become, but a mother’s faith can make a difference for generations. 2 Timothy 1:1-5, NKJV, is an excellent example of that.
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, a beloved son:
Grace and mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”
This passage is a great illustration that encourages mothers who doubt if they are making an influence. Paul, the author, could have merely highlighted Timothy’s great faith and left it at that. However, he extends this recognition to Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice.
How many know that a mother’s influence can be a powerful source?
These women helped Timothy to acknowledge Jesus, and not only that, the faith he carried as an adult blew the apostle Paul away, and he felt the need to commend that. I don’t know about you, but I think it would be the coolest thing to have Jesus talking about my kids' faith! (I can just picture Jesus sitting in heaven with the angels, looking down and saying, “Oh, that’s one of the Jenkins kids! That child has faith like their mama and prays like their grandmother!”)
So how can we be mothers that make a kingdom influence?
Stepping Into the Power of a Mother’s Light
Most of the time, moms spend much of their prayers and energy making sure their children attend the best schools and are involved in the most stellar activities. We put weight on them to take many foreign languages and desire for them to have the most respectable careers. But if our children never come to the loving knowledge of Jesus Christ, it all mounts up to nothing!
In Matthew 5, Jesus retreated to a mountainside, and instead of hundreds following him, only his disciples met him there. While in this intimate gathering, Jesus talked to them about life: character qualities, things you should do to be blessed, and…persecution.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
-Matthew 5:3-10, NKJV
Can you imagine the disciples’ response? “Peacemaker—check. Meekness—no problem! Persecution—what did he just say?!”
The disciples were learning exciting and hard things first-hand from Jesus. And just as Jesus was training them to be a reflection of his light then, he is forming the hearts of moms to be his light to her family now. Even today, this kind of lifestyle is more common than we think. Yet, the results are still the same. Friend, we must be mindful of how we think when it comes to the work we are doing for God.
So how can we become a light-bearer that makes a difference for the kingdom?
The Purpose of a Mother’s Light (vs 14)
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
-Matthew 5:14, NKJV
There are many kinds of light sources for many purposes. But what does light do? Light makes things visible and illuminates what you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see in the dark. So when Jesus tells us that our purpose is to be a light that cannot be hidden, it requires us to examine the kind of light we are currently expressing.
Decorative Light
Have you ever looked at a light setup and wondered what its purpose is? Decorative lights are the kinds of lights that look good but don’t illuminate anything. As followers of Christ, we can be like a decorative light—you look good on the outside, but when you speak or act, it reveals the nitty-gritty of what is going on in the heart.
Those who foster bitterness, a rebellious spirit, and no compassion for people can be examples of those with a decorative light. You look good on the outside, but you aren’t illuminating anything for Christ and ultimately have no impact on the world.
Task Light
The light Jesus is talking about in Matthew 5:14 is a task light. A task light serves a purpose. It helps you see what is before you so that you can accomplish a particular action or activity.
Moms, you have a light not just for your community, church, or the workplace, but you have the responsibility to shine your light for your family. And especially to your children! (I mean, what better place is there?)
The problem is, if your light is more decorative than task-oriented, your children won’t truly know what it means to be a light for Jesus.
This happens when your children don’t see you open your Bible unless you are in church. Or when they hear you talking negatively about someone and then raising your hands and praising God on Sunday morning. Moms, there is power in the purpose of your light!
We live in a day and age when our beliefs are being challenged like never before. Our purpose as light-bearers is not to be afraid of persecution or ridicule because when you shine, people can see Jesus.
Teach your children what is right and wrong, and live in a way that shows them that there is an Almighty God to whom we will one day be held accountable!
The Purpose of a Mother’s Light (vs 15-16)
“Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
-Matthew 5:15-16, NKJV
This passage not only shares the importance of shining your light but also how the light should perform.
We are to let our light shine so our children see our good works.
We are to let our light shine so our neighbors see our good works.
We are to let our light shine so our employer sees our good works.
It is then that the Father will be revealed.
Good Works in the Kingdom of Heaven
What are good works? I would argue that they aren’t the things we do that seem good to the world. It isn’t going to the nursing home or, feeding the hungry, visiting prisons, or giving money to the poor. These are all great things, but in the context of verses 15 and 16, our good works are our moral excellence.
How are you living your life? The world is watching, and they want the church to stop being hypocrites. In other words, we must stop behaving one way when we enter the church and live another when service is over.
Moms, there is power in your light; however, you must understand the purpose of your light and how the performance of that light makes a difference.
My youngest two children, Johnny and Natalie, are so close in age that we raised them like twins when they were younger. I remember one night, they were playing in the playroom when the lights suddenly went out. Within seconds, I heard a shrill cry, “Mommy! Come and get us! The lights are out!” Immediately, I went to the cabinet and grabbed a flashlight. I turned on the light, stood still in the kitchen, and called for them to come to the light.
Moms, that is what God is calling us to do, as we are a light to our families.
To the mother who is frustrated, hold the light!
To the single mother who feels alone, hold the light!
To the special needs mom who feels isolated, hold the light!
There is power in the light. It brings illumination, casts darkness away, and reveals Jesus in our hearts and those around us.
May we be light-bearers of Jesus to our children and the generations to come.
For more on being a light, check out Trina’s sermon, The Power of a Mother’s Light.