Why Shine?

There is a hurting world out there who are desperate to believe that God is real. They don't want to just hear about Him, they need to see Him because in that sense, seeing really is believing. 
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said:"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." At first read, it sounds a little pompous, doesn't it? It is if we consider Matthew 6:1, "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven." There is no contradiction here. The difference is in the heart of man and oh, what a tangle the heart can be! 
Jesus is saying that our good deeds (kindness, generosity, praise, forgiveness, joy, perseverance, peace making, sacrifice, compassion...) should shine not for our own glory, but for HIS! And, why? So that "everyone will praise your heavenly Father." It is so people who don't know Christ will WANT to know Him and those who already do will be ENCOURAGED in their faith. Our actions must be rooted IN JESUS. They must be born out of a huge love for Him. They must be done with a desire to see His kingdom furthered and to see 'on earth as it is in heaven.' They must be done to change lives for the better like He has changed our own life. 
Part of this is stepping out and sharing our stories of what God has done and is doing in our life. Lights are meant to shine and to provide a way to see clearly. We wouldn't turn a flashlight on and then stick it in the closet. We are to be light shiners. It reminds me of REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling." There is a line that goes, "You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night." I always loved that. That is who we need to be to our world. If we do it for own glory, we lose out. We really do lose the reward from our Father and who wants to experience that? And, if God isn't given the credit, and we are instead, what gain is that for others? It's a loss for them as well. 
When our actions come up and pour out from a place of heart connection with Christ, they will shine in such a way that people see less of us and more of God. AND, IT IS GOD WHO PEOPLE ARE WANTING TO SEE.
It IS a challenge, no doubt. It's really something how much good we hold in our hearts right next to all that can be ugly. Sometimes I shudder at the home I'm providing for the Holy Spirit to live in!  But, He still stays. He's my God. He's my family. His rightful place is in illumination. It is God who saves.
So, go be a light shiner wherever God has placed you and do it so that the Lord may be praised!