Last Monday just after sunset, the world searched the sky for the beautiful alignment of Jupiter and Saturn that scientists were calling the Christmas Star. Scott and I gathered at Pickens High School along with families in a hundred or so other cars to watch. The sky turned from beautiful oranges and purples to grays and dark, then the beautiful star appeared. It was the first day of Winter, Winter Solstice, the shortest day, and the longest night of darkness of the year. Isn’t that just like God to pick the night with the most darkness, to show the brightest light in the sky?
A Dark Place
Have you ever been in such a dark place that you could not see your hand in front of your face? I have, and it can be a little unsettling. I am reminded of a trip I took with my husband to Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel in Oconee County, SC. It is an incomplete railroad tunnel for the Blue Ridge Railroad of SC in Sumter National Forest. As I walked deeper into the mountain and into the deep darkness away from the light, it felt cold, lonely, and isolating. It was neat to experience, but I definitely would not want to stay there.
When it is pitch black, it is amazing how much light comes from striking just one match. When you do, you can see all around you. No matter how hard the darkness tries, it cannot put out the Light.
John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The Light of the World
Just like when Jesus was born, now is a chaotic, turbulent, violent time when the World is looking for hope. The world can be a very dark place, a place in desperate need of light. Jesus, the Light of the World, illuminates the darkness.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
God Ignites the Light in His Children
Jesus wants to ignite that light in each of us so that we can share it with others.
2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
There are so many hurting people all around us who are lost in darkness. What a difference we can make in their lives if we let the Lord shine His Light through us into their lives! In this time of political correctness, Christians are expected not to offend anyone. And, all too often, that is just what we do—not offend anyone, not speak up, not shine our light.
According to Rick Warren, there are two reasons that people do not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior: 1) they have never met a Christian, or 2) they have. What a sad statement. Is it possible that we are missing opportunities everyday to shine our lights?
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. —Edith Wharton
Allow the light of Christ to be steadfast in your life. He is the Light. Shine where He says shine. Go where He says go. Pray our hearts will be broken for what breaks His. In a world of hostile darkness, He has called us to light a candle of love. Although it is not always received as we hope, being faithful in this way can produce more favorable results than we can ever imagine.
Let Your Light Shine
Don’t tell people how bad the world is. Tell them how good God is. This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
Dear Lord: You are all Light. In You, there is no darkness. Thank You for shining Your light into our dark places. Help us to take the light You have shone into our lives through Jesus Christ and to seek out the helpless, the confused, the hurting, and the weak. Use us to light the world. Amen
You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:28
Go Light Your World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsM5lt9tCFo by Chris Rice
Have you had opportunities to shine your light into the lives of others? Or do you have a story about how God used someone else to shine light into your life? I would love to hear your experiences, thoughts and comments. Please reply below.
Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God shine His light brightly into your life and through you into the lives of others in this new year. Resolve to take your candle, and go light the world.