Love to hear from and know who is listening
Every spring I put out my electric bug zapper. It uses light to attract bugs and the light is surrounded by a small electrified grid that zaps the life right out of them. The light can be seen by the bugs in the darkness up to 1 ½ acres away or just a little bit farther than the length of a football field. Scientists have found that the human eye can detect a candle flame at a distance of 1.6 miles. On a dark night, a person with good vision can see the Andromeda galaxy, a collection of about a trillion stars that is 2.5 million light years away. If a person can see a collection of stars 2.5 trillion miles away that makes it even easier for me to believe that a single star could have guided the magi to baby Jesus in the manger. Light is a common metaphor in the Bible. 1 John 1:5 says God is light, Philippians 2:15 likens God’s children who are blameless and pure, to shining stars in the sky. Jesus used light as a picture of good works, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds.
Matthew 5: 14-16 NIV 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.
The bible uses light as a metaphor for righteousness and goodness, and darkness signifies evil and sin. God is the Creator of physical light as well as the giver of spiritual light by which we can see the truth. Light exposes that which is hidden in darkness; it shows things as they really are. Have you ever walked into a dark room, turned on the light and then seen the roaches and bugs scatter. They are nasty creatures that do not want to be in the light. I am not going to confess how I know this but, I have never seen a brightly lit bar. People that are over indulging in alcohol don't want to be in a brightly lit room. They would rather be in the darkness so they can hide their foolish acts.
John 3: 20 NIV Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
Believers in Christ must confess any darkness they have in their lives. They must continually confess their sins and transgressions and allow God to shine His light through them. Christians cannot sit idly by and watch others continue in the darkness of sin, knowing that those in darkness are destined for eternal separation from God. So what are some ways I can let my light shine. First, help others, volunteer to pick up trash along the highway or work at the food pantry. By volunteering, we can open a whole new door for others to be introduced to Jesus just by simply volunteering alongside them. Second, share your testimony. Testimonies are so powerful especially when you know that individual. Don’t hesitate to share your journey with someone when the timing is right, that maybe the day the seed of the gospel is planted. Lastly, listen to what God Is calling you to do and do it! If you feel you are being called to serve God, don’t hesitate, teach that Sunday school class, be a greeter or an usher! It will have a positive impact on your life and those who see you stand tall in your faith. No matter how great the darkness is that surrounds a light, it not only can’t conceal it, it actually makes it easier to see.
Acts 26:18 NIV To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
