LIGHT OF THE WORLD

 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
 Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) 

When I was first enlisted to the military, I was already very busy in church. I was serving as a leader and was responsible for many young people. I looked forward to going back to church every weekend, because that’s where the action was. At least I thought.

Being in camp for the week was to me a necessary evil. You can imagine that my attitude wasn’t the best. There were several incidents that were the result of my wrong attitude. I soon realized what Matthew 5 actually says, that I am the light of the world. It is in the world that we can be light, not just in church. We are to shine wherever we are, especially in camp. When I changed my attitude. I started to realize that God indeed has a purpose for me in my military service.

God started to show me that there were many people who had many needs in camp. No matter what rank or background they were, they had needs that we can minister to. We can do simple things like being a friend, providing a listening ear or simply watching out for one another. It’s in these relationships that God can use us to be a blessing to them.

As Christians we cannot help but stand out, either for good or not so good. We will always stand out.

Sometimes you may feel that you are not making much of a difference for the Kingdom of God. But you will be surprised how small gestures can have eternal ramifications.

In my first unit, I was out for training one day, a Pioneer Specialist approached me and asked me, “Sir, you grad ah?”

I replied, “No, I regret!” I was being humorous.

He found this amusing and recounted this joke years later when he shared his testimony. About 10 years later, I met him again. He shared about how at that time he was into smoking, drinking and partying. But he noticed how I was as an officer, had never used vulgarities to get my point across. He was curious and realized that I was a Christian. He began to seek after God.

Today, he is a pastor.

God has a purpose for you in camp. As you serve your national service, ask the Lord to show you the purpose He has for you. Oftentimes He gives us an assignment to specific people that He brings into our life. When we live out God’s purpose from Monday to Saturday, then Sunday becomes even more meaningful to us.

Prayer:
Father, I pray that You open my eyes to see the purpose I have in my camp. Show me the people that You are bringing to me to be light to. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

By Rev SLTC (NS) Darren Tan – Senior Pastor, LifeUnited Church Ex-CO 823 SIR
Reproduced from MCF 50th Anniversary Commemorative Publication