I am important to the spreading of the gospel. I am here in this world for a purpose. I have to remember that. I also have to remember that I am but here for a little while. My time here is temporary and therefore so is my witness.
“35He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.” – John 5:35 (ESV)
Jesus is speaking here and declaring that John the Baptist was a lamp in the darkness and as such was a witness for all to see. He provided the immediate shining for to refer to and follow.
“8He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.” – John 1:8 (ESV)
John may have shown to refer to in the moment, he was not Jesus. He was only to bring Jesus to the forefront and lit Him up. As John, we are here as a lamp, or temporary shining to bring attention to all that is Jesus as Savior. I have been placed where I am as an important part of the spreading of the gospel. I am to bring Jesus to those that I come in contact and ensure that His light outshines mine in the process. I have the task of simply leading others to His light and then I will go and bring more.
What do you think about your shining as a witness for Christ? Are you disappointed when your lamp is overshadowed by the light of Christ? What if we understood that whereas our shining is important to the spreading of the gospel, but it is also temporary?
Trevor's Thoughts 