Roses Set on a Hill

"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 

A rose shines on display for all to see. Have you ever heard the saying "stop and smell the roses,"? Roses are symbols of happiness, joy, satisfaction; beauty, love, and friendship. The list can go on and on. Roses stand out among flowers, and rightly so. They are beautiful! And it is easy to inspect each one we see. It is easy to pick out their imperfections. It is easy to distinguish between a healthy and unhealthy rose. In the same way, we are like roses. It is easy for us to pick out other's imperfections. It is easy for us to identify in our minds who is "good" and who is "bad." And often, we do this without inspecting ourselves in the same manner. 

Christ is the light of the world, and when He enters our hearts, we carry that light in us as well. We become a rose "set on a hill," with a very heavy responsibility. We are put on display. Others watch us. We become role models, whether we like it or not. So it is time to inspect ourselves for a change. 

"The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness" Luke 11:34-35

The eye referred to here is the Word of God, or the source of light. Re-read the passage again and replace the word "eye" with "source of light." The Word of God SHOULD be our source of light, but if its not, then something else is. So what is your source? Who, or what, is replacing God's Word in your life? Who or what are you putting the most energy into? "take heed, that the light which is in you is not darkness" 

A rose needs water, sunlight, and good soil to survive. If it doesn't receive these things, it will start to show. It will begin to wilt, petal by petal, taking away its glorious beauty. When people look at the rose, all they will see are the wilted petals. Are you receiving the nutrients of God's Word? Or are you nourishing yourself with bad soil? Inspect your petals. Are you wilting? Or shining Christ's lighton glorious   display for all to see? 

None of us are perfect, and never will be. And Christ often works best through our imperfections. However, this doesn't give us a free pass. We cannot truly bloom in this life without going to the Author and Perfector of our faith. Every rose has its faults, but we must let Christ nourish us and restore those faults so that we can display His light to the world! 

Photo creds: 

http://aquifer.deviantart.com/art/Shining-Rose-106485393