I am an infant caregiver at a local daycare center and preschool. In my room, babies enter as young as twelve weeks of age and they graduate to the next level at about one year. There is a 4-1 ratio of babies to caregivers, so the ability to multitask while remaining calm in all situations is a must. Most importantly, ya gotta love babies, which fortunately, I do!

When Jesus walked the earth, He always pointed to the children when illustrating how we should live, so I get a life lessons perk and much fodder for devotions as well. The other day, I was entertaining three babies, each of whom were positioned about six feet away from one another. I made my way around the room with a blanket, stopping at each child long enough to play a few rounds of peek-a-boo. Each baby would laugh as I swished the blanket off of his head, but I noticed one child’s reaction in particular was very different from the rest.

Baby Jonah laughed just as heartily when I was playing with his little classmates as when it was his turn. He took such obvious delight in the joy of others, that it caused me to stop and wonder – is that how I live? I definitely knew that Jesus was pointing at this generous six month old child and reminding me – the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

I’m going to follow Jonah’s lead today. I’m going to look at my neighbor’s blessings and be truly glad. I want to rejoice over the gifts God has given someone else as if they were my own. There is no room for envy here – here, in the kingdom of God.

Jesus said -

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  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 5:14-16

Jesus calls us everyday to be the light of the world, a city on a hill. We are the light of the world. We are the city on a hill. That sounds a bit daunting at first – after all, isn’t Jesus the Light of the World? Yes, He is and therein lies the Good News! I am not the sun – I am called to be the moon.

As the moon reflects the light of the sun, my life and your life reflects the Light of the Son. That light, through Christ, breaks through any present darkness to the glory of God. Amen!

We gotta let the Light shine!

Music video ~ We Are ~ Kari Jobe