My church has a saying, “Where God has you is where He is.” The idea is that no matter where you are, whether it’s in your workplace, at school, a volunteer opportunity or at home raising your children, God can use you to shine His light. 

I never truly realized how bright God could shine through someone until a recent emergency room visit. Early last month, I was rushed to the ER due to some pains I was having. I ended up having emergency surgery and had to stay in the hospital for 16 days. During that time, the only time I left my hospital room was to walk around the hospital hallways, but God still found a way to shine bright in that room because where God has you is where He is. 

I had numerous conversations with nurses about my faith in Jesus. Some would see me and ask, “How can you be so nice and smile through the pain?” I always responded that God gave me strength, comfort and peace no matter what happened. It always opened the door to talk more about my faith and theirs. 

Another time, a nurse noticed I was having a hard time sleeping. He asked if I prayed. 

“All the time,” I answered. 

He nodded and said, “I could tell. You have a peace around you.” 

We continued to talk about how he prayed during difficult times and how we couldn’t imagine going through life without Jesus by our side. 

I had many more conversations about Jesus without even stepping out of my hospital room. In most cases, they asked me about my faith because they could see I was different than their other patients. There was a light they could see because Jesus was shining through me. 

Is Jesus shining through you in the way you talk and act? Can strangers tell there is something different about you because of the way you carry yourself? How can you be the light in the place God has placed you? 

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven. –Matthew 5:16 

Written by Aimee Freston, associate director of digital content at Buckner International.