Light

Did you ever go into a room and flip a light switch and nothing happens? Or did the electricity go out and none of the lights work?  It can be an unsettling feeling to be completely in the dark. Your surroundings become unfamiliar in the dark. For some people, "dark" can be a scary place.  We all need light in our lives.  Whether it's to light a room, a yard, a business, or a road, it's really difficult to find our way in the dark.

Did you know that we are called to be "light?"  In Matthew 5:14-16 we are called the "light of the world." We are instructed not to "hide" the light but to let it shine so that others can see the goodness of God.  We are a lot like lighthouses. A lighthouse's main purpose is to shine brightly to help ships and boats see the safest path away from dangerous waters to a safe harbor. Without the light, the ships might crash onto the rocks. If we are "shining" the light of God's love to others, it will help them find the path through their "difficult waters."

It is hard to shine, though, if your light is dim.  Our lights can become dim for many reasons. Sometimes it's because we've been away from His light for too long. Remember, our light is a reflection of His love.  If we're too far from the light, we won't be able to shine very brightly.

Sometimes our light can become dim from the weariness of the hard things we've had to go through in our own lives.  Our light is covered by the clouds of life.  We need to have the clouds lifted and cleared away.  We may need to seek Him in the morning, at nighttime, and every time we need to feel the light of His love.

Just a word about what our "light" is not. We are not called to be a light to shine on others faults or point out what they are doing wrong.  No one wants to stay near that kind of a light. If you shine that kind of light, you may be causing someone to veer away towards dangerous waters.

We have been given an amazing gift...God's love, through His son. God sending His son, Jesus, to become one of us, was all about love.  Shine His love, be a lighthouse!