YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

You are the light of the world!
First of all, let me start out by saying the worship Ministry of FBC Canton ROCKS! Over the past months we have seen God’s hand all over the place. Sunday worship services have been outstanding opportunities to worship corporately and Wednesday evening rehearsals have been incredible. Last Wednesday in choir rehearsal, we experienced a true God encounter. It is always awesome when that occurs. In our time last week, I told the choir why I am so expressive in my worship. I can’t help but be expressive with my worship to Eternal God! Jesus put it this way:

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 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 men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5: 14-16

It was the experience of the death of my daughter that changed my way of worship. Well, let me go back to the beginning. In my leadership, I have always tried to encourage expressive worship, but I was always very intimidated to outwardly express it. I grew up in a time where you went to church, sat still and quiet, sang the hymns, heard a sermon and went along with life. I am not saying that this was bad. On the contrary, I loved corporate worship during that time in my life. It was just very reserved. Since I grew up in that kind of environment of worship, I naturally felt comfortable leading worship that way. But when I came in contact with my Jesus in a way that made Him the only way to get out of the hole that I was in, I had to change. I could no longer sit back and hold in my expression of worship; instead, I had to let my light shine -- not so that people would see Aaron Hodges, but so that they could see how amazing God is! As a testimony of God’s faithfulness, I had to let my worship be seen.
So what does that have to do with you? The same verse that applies to me, applies to everyone. We are not commanded to hide our light under a bushel, NO! We are commanded to let it shine! Have you experienced God in a way that makes it impossible for you to hold your worship inside? I pray that it does not take an experience like I had to open your eyes. Open up and express your love for Jesus so the world can see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven!

With hands lifted to Jesus in surrender,
Aaron Hodges