“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15).

When I was about five years old, a preacher came to see the family that I was living with. I had never been to a church and never seen a preacher. But this guy was dressed in a black suit and carried a big black book, so I knew he was someone important.

He walked up onto the porch, bent over in front of me and, with a big smile, said, “Do you know who I am?” Awestruck, I leaned close and whispered, “Jesus?”

I wonder how that made him feel, to be mistaken for Jesus. That probably doesn’t happen to many of us, mores the pity. Even so, it is our continual goal to be so like Jesus that people can see him through us. How does that happen? By being blameless and innocent, above reproach, appearing as lights in the world.

If you weren’t especially shiny today, and if you have tomorrow, you have another chance to be a light. How great is that! And maybe, just maybe, someone will mistake you for Jesus.

–B. A. Oliver