Shining God’s Light

Howling winds whipped through the trees; branches shuddered and crashed into one another as rain pelted the ground. Then, with a loud pop and a flash of sparks, the main electrical transformer in my neighborhood shut down. Powerful gusts had pulled the lines out and left them sizzling in the intersection below. A fire truck blocked traffic at the entrance to my neighborhood and kept curious people like me from getting too close to the live wires. 

After talking with the fire crew and watching them reroute a line of cars, I headed home and discovered my house was cold and dark. I assumed we’d have power back within a few hours, but as the sun sank low, electricity still hadn’t been restored. So, my husband and I found flashlights, added blankets to our bed, and prepared for a cold, dark night. We were discouraged to wake up the next morning and find that the screens on our clocks remained numberless. Ultimately, the power outage lasted for fifty-six long hours. When the lights finally flickered back to life on the evening of the third day, I’d never been so grateful for the electricity I usually take for granted. 

Ironically, the power outage happened the same week I was learning about the construction of the Sanctuary in Exodus. Not surprisingly the description of the lampstand in the Holy Place caught my attention: “Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them.” (Exodus 25:31, NIV) Further study revealed this significant detail: “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually.” (Leviticus 24:1, NIV)

The Lord instructed Moses to make the Sanctuary’s exterior from animal skins and heavy fabrics, which would shroud the Holy Place inside in utter darkness. So, God told Moses to make a lamp that would be continually burning. As the high priest, it would be Aaron’s job to tend to the lamps every morning and evening so that they would burn without ceasing. They would be a visible reminder of what Scripture tells us: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5b, NIV)

The theme of light and darkness threads throughout the Bible, starting in Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:1-4, NIV)

John’s gospel opens by describing God’s choice to send His son to earth: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4, NIV) Jesus took this a step further by making a bold statement followed by a promise: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12b)

When we believe in Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, we receive the joy, hope, and peace of salvation. God’s light not only shines on us with His blessings, it also shines through us. Jesus explains this in the Sermon on the Mount when He says: “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, NIV)

During the power outage, my husband and I were fortunate to have good friends nearby who shared their electricity with us. Thanks to them, our food stayed cold in their refrigerator, our computers charged in their outlets, and our bodies were cleansed in their hot shower. It would have been a much harder week without these small luxuries. And just as our friends shared their power with us, we are called to do the same with God’s light residing within us.  

Imagine a sunset over the ocean. The rays of light affect everything they touch so that the glow of the sun shines on the water and reflects off the wet sand, creating vibrant hues and stunning shades of color. In the same way, the warmth and light of the Lord’s love affects everyone who encounters it. As we receive God’s love, it changes us so that we color the atmosphere around us by radiating His love, grace, and peace. As conduits of His light, we reflect the Lord’s glory and become sources of hope for a world that is mired in spiritual darkness.

If you’ve never thought about it before, start inviting God to let His light shine through you. Ask Him to fill you with His presence so you shine brightly wherever you are. Pray that He’ll connect you with other believers so you can build community that radiates the warmth of God’s love outward. Draw strength and confidence from Christ’s light within you and let it bless others wherever you go.

Take a moment right now to worship Jesus by enjoying “Light of the World” by We the Kingdom. Click here to listen.  

Inspired by God of Freedom by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press 2022, Week 6.

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Light of the World

The little condo wasn’t fancy, but it seemed to have everything we wanted: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a small living room and a basic kitchen. It even had covered parking and was within walking distance of downtown. My husband and I were newly married and having fun setting up our home together. However, soon after moving in, we began to discover issues that hadn’t been apparent when we’d toured it with the rental agent. Some problems could be changed, but others were beyond our control. The one that bothered me most was the darkness. Surrounded by towering redwood trees, the condo never got direct sunlight. Over the months, this wore on me and I wanted to be away from home as much as possible.

It wasn’t until we moved a few years later that I realized how much I needed light in my surroundings. I’ll never forget unpacking boxes on the day we moved into our house. Feeling the sun warming my back as I worked in the kitchen filled me with a joyful contentment that I hadn’t experienced at home in quite a while.

So, it’s no surprise when Scripture tells us that the source of all light is God: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5, NIV)

The theme of light and darkness threads throughout the Bible, starting in Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:1-4, NIV)

John’s gospel opens by describing God’s choice to send His son to earth: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4, NIV) Jesus took this a step further by making a bold statement followed by a promise: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12b)

When we believe in Jesus and accept Him as our savior, He gives us joyful contentment. God’s light not only shines on us with His blessings, it also shines through us. Jesus explains this in the Sermon on the Mount when He says: “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, NIV)

As followers of Jesus, we are conduits of His light to a world that is mired in spiritual darkness. We are like sacred solar panels, basking in God’s love, grace, and power. Once we soak it in, we’re called to pass it on to others who need it too. Most of them just don’t know it yet.

When we moved to our home many years ago, I began praying that God would use us as lights in our neighborhood. Over time, that prayer has grown in its scope to include any place where my family encounters other people: school, work, sports teams, community events, volunteer commitments, social gatherings, etc. As I pray, I often envision what a gathering of people looks like from a spiritual perspective. I picture myself with the light of Christ glowing from within me. At those times, I can choose to keep the light to myself or to let it shine so that it can bless others.

Imagine a sunset over the ocean. The rays of light affect everything they touch so that the glow of the sun shines on the water and reflects off the wet sand, creating vibrant hues and stunning scenery. In the same way, the warmth and light of the Lord’s love impacts everyone who encounters it. He intends for it to spread from one individual to another. God’s love changes people and colors the atmosphere around us with His grace and peace.

If you’ve never thought about it before, start inviting God to let His light shine through you. Pray that He’ll give you spiritual eyes whenever you encounter other people. Ask Him to give you the strength and courage to shine brightly when you’re the only Christian at a gathering. Pray that He’ll connect you with other believers so you can radiate the warmth of God’s love together. Draw strength and confidence from Christ’s light within you and let it bless others wherever you go.

Christy Nockels’ song “Life Light Up” made a significant impact on my understanding of being a light to the world. Listen to it and let the lyrics become your prayer today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNZ6L6qGR7s

Josh Wilson’s song “Pushing Back the Dark” gave me the courage to ask God to shine His light through me. Listen to the lyrics if you need a little inspiration too.

Lysa TerKeurst, Finding I Am: How Jesus Fully Satisfies the Cry of Your Heart, Lifeway Press, 2016.