Into all the World

It is true that John Wesley said, “the world is my parish”, and indeed it is suggested that he travelled over 250,000 miles in his life time, but I want to as you a question, what is the size of your world?

When Jesus said go into all the world and preach the gospel he of course was speaking to the whole body of the church present and future. But could there be a twist in his words when we put it in the context of the individual. What if each of us interpreted his command as,  “go into all of your world”; the world of your family, your neighbourhood, the society in which you live and move and have our being. 

In simple terms, earlier in the gospel we find Jesus said, “….let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Light does not change what is in a particular place: but it enables us to see what is in it. It helps us appreciate what is good and beautiful, just as it facilitates avoiding pitfalls. We are children of the light: our lives are illumined by Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12). This light helps us to see the hidden hope of glory that is in us. So we can rejoice even in the darkness of the world.

Perhaps it is in the way that we reflect the light of Christ that brings true light to any given situation.

What did the hymn of childhood say.

Jesus bids us shine,

With a clear, pure light,

Like a little candle burning in the night;

In this world of darkness, we must shine,

You in your small corner,

And I in mine.

Lord,
as daylight fills the sky,
fill us with your holy light.
May our lives mirror our love for you
whose wisdom has brought us into being,
and whose care guides us on our way.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.