"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."- Matthew 5: 14-16
On a mission trip to London in 2018, our main focus was to outreach at one of the largest carnivals in the world. The day of the carnival arrived and...it was raining! Really raining...and cold! Our trip leaders decided it was not safe for us to go out at that time and all we could do was wait.
WAIT.
We prepared for 2 weeks for this day and now we could only wait.
I decided to take the opportunity to watch the parade and people go by and parked myself on a window. I watched. I prayed. I waited. And I waved to people as they walked by.
Later that day when the rain let up (a little), we went out to the carnival masses. It was still cold and raining and I was sick so I didn't feel like doing much "reaching out". I approached a group of men who were all a little drunk and I honestly don't remember what I said because they overtook my approach with "HEY! You were sitting in the window! I saw you! You waved at me! You're really cool man, that was really cool to see!" Followed by much laughter, joy and connection.
Who knew that my waiting that day would give them a little light. Or that my waiting would be what stood out to them in the midst of carnival craziness. Who knew that my waiting would stand out to others in the form of joy...
God is reminding me that being a light, being a city on a hill (that cannot be hidden), doesn't always mean doing BIG or LOUD things for His name. Sometimes being a light is what you do while you are waiting. Sometimes being a light is a soft approach, a simple waive or a kind word.
A little encouragement for anyone who is in a waiting season: wait well. Park yourself on a window, take in the sights and watch, wait and pray. You never know how God will use your season of waiting and there is always someone who will be encouraged by what you do in the wait.
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