Walking in the Light

A few days ago, Moses, our big black lab, and I went for a very early morning walk around 5:00 a.m. It had been overcast and rainy, and the predawn darkness seemed darker than usual. In fact, it seemed pitch black dark and, for some reason, most of the street lamps were out--it was truly a penetrating, lonely blackness. As we walked along, I could barely see the road in front of us. Finally, up ahead I saw a street lamp shining, and in the oppressive darkness surrounding us, that pool of light shined like a beacon of warmth and hope. The darkness made it so much more bright and inviting.

As we walked out of the darkness and into the radius of the light, enjoying it's glow of security, I couldn't help but think of Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to Your Father who is in heaven." Lord, I asked, am I that kind of light to my family, to my friends and neighbors, to those with whom I come into contact?

We live in an increasingly dark, dark world. There is so much sorrow, so much uncertainty, so much sin, so much fear and deception. O, but in that darkness, the light glimmers and glitters ever more brilliantly. Jesus is the Light of the World. If we belong to Him, how on earth can we not reflect His Light? He has called us to His light, and if we cling to Him, we cannot help but reflect His light. We cling to Him by daily spending time in His Word and throughout our day talking to and asking Him--our dearest companion--to guide us, enable us, strengthen us, forgive us, shape us. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so we will reflect the Son if we have been in His presence.

It's funny, though, as Moses and I walked along in the predawn darkness, occasionally we would see one of those welcoming pools of light up ahead, but as we reached the street lamp, the light would go out. This happened to us several times that morning. As I looked up at the street lamp itself, I could see the faintest glow was still in the bulb, but the lamp was no longer throwing out any light. Lord, I had to ask, is that me? You, the Light of the World, reside in me, but has my light dimmed so that others no longer see You in me? It breaks my heart to think that others might look at me or my actions or my attitudes and rather than see Your Light and thereby be encouraged and drawn to You, they might see only more darkness, more of the world's emptiness.

What causes our light to dim? In a word, sin. Our selfishness, our pride, our love of things or accomplishments or comfort or pleasure more than our love for the One who died for our sins. Busyness can dim the light because we get too busy to spend time with the Savior or too busy to show the love of Christ to those around us or too busy to think of anybody or anything other than ourselves and our agenda. If sin or busyness darkens our light, how dark is the darkness! And how many lost and lonely souls have missed the warmth and love and direction and purpose that our light could have and should have given them. Forgive me Lord!

But over 2000 years ago on a windswept hill outside the city limits, out in the darkness and despair of a world without light or hope, those sins were crucified and washed by the blood of the Savior. And as the world grew ever darker that terrible friday, even then, the Light was preparing to burst forth on Resurrection Sunday. So while our light may dim, with the Lord Jesus, there is always forgiveness and grace and new life. God is not through with us yet! Our light may have dimmed temporarily, but with Christ, it can pour forth light again. We can still shine His light in the world, in our homes, in our cities.

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Eph. 5:8 It's time to start walking in the light! Sure, we can't do it in our own strength, but through Him, "all things are possible." Phi. 4:13 It's time to start walking in the light in our marriages, with our children, with those we meet everyday. And, might I add, it's time to start driving in the light as well! I've been so convicted that it's in the littlest things where our light can really shine brightest--letting drivers cut in front of us, returning our shopping cart, smiling and speaking to the Target checkout clerk, responding with gentleness and grace to a harsh or unkind word. If we aren't light in all these "little" places throughout our day, well, then we've forfeited the opportunity to shine God's Light and love in a dark world.

If we know Jesus as Savior, then we are children of the Light. So, let's start living like it! Start walking and driving and shopping and carpooling and cleaning and folding laundry and talking on the phone as children of the light. For that is what we are, and when we live that way, we will feel God's pleasure. So to the Light of the World--and the Light of our world--be the glory forever!