Let Your light shine

Most of the time I am up before dawn. Upon leaving our bedroom I’m only a few steps from our living room. It’s totally dark, except for some lights on a couple of electronic devices. But the most noticeable light is from the Internet router that streams a pretty blue light out between the cupboard doors. You can even see the light upon the carpeting in front of the cupboard which houses the router. Walking back into the living room when daylight is full you can’t see the blue light at all, unless you open the cupboard doors. And there’s no shadow being cast out through the doors.

One morning I walked into our living room in the dark and saw that blue glow on the carpet. It struck me that this is how we are as followers of Jesus. Jesus has told us that we’re the light of the world and that we should let our light shine through the good works that we do in His name. But much of the time I feel more like a burned out bulb than a light shining in the darkness that fills our world today. However I realise that it’s not the brightness coming from me that enables God to be glorified through any good works done in His name. Jesus is the ‘light of the world’ and it’s not the strength of my light that’s important. It’s the strength of the light of Jesus that shines in and through me. It’s not my power which makes a difference, but the power of Jesus living through me. This is what makes all the difference as I go about being a faithful presence everywhere in this dark world.

I’m grateful that the Holy Spirit can take my 5 watt bulb and make it into a searchlight for Jesus, discerning good from evil and acting with faith in times of darkness, trouble, and stress. And the darker it gets, the more a very small, tiny light can shine beautifully to be seen by all in that darkness.

Prayer: Father, I’m grateful for Your call to let the light of Christ flow through me to a dark and hurting world. Forgive me for the times I think I’m a search light, when I’m called to manifest Your light and power to the world around me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.