No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:15-16 HCSB

If you have ever had a light in your house blow a bulb, then you know that it no longer functions as a light. In order for it to give light, there must be a bulb of some sort. It must also be plugged in or have some source of energy or have  battery power. As Christians, we are a lot like lights. We rely on being plugged into God for our power. We must have the Holy Spirit living within us to give off the kind of light that guides others to Christ.

If you have ever been lost in total darkness, then you know the first thing you search for is a light to guide you out of the darkness, right? I remember when I got my first beagle. I wasn’t prepared for him to simply follow his nose wherever it might lead. One Saturday night when my husband was working, Buddy’s little nose led him to dig under our fence and head out back into the woods trailing what was probably a rabbit. Anyway, I had to put on pants, long sleeves and boots and got out there only to be able to hear him snorting and sniffing in his pursuit. After approximately two hours of crawling through a thicket and going deeper and deeper into the woods, we finally got into a clearing big enough for me to get close enough to Him to grab his collar. I had him, but I had no idea where I was. It was pitch dark and I only had the small stream from the flashlight that I had brought with me. I was totally turned around. I slowly began prodding my way through looking for any sign of light. After going for about a half hour, I saw light. As I drew closer, I realized it was my sister’s house which is about 1/4 of a mile southwest of my house. I was so happy to see the light. This light was able to guide me home.

As Christians, we are to serve as beacons or guiding lights. The problem is when our light grows dim or we blow a bulb. We then become useless as guiding lights. In order for us to be the light, people must be able to see the light within us. We only have this light within us when we are living lives that honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It’s easy to see that a large majority of our population today is living in total darkness. They are turned around and don’t know which way to go. They are looking for the light.

We have come through this pandemic and now that things are opening up, it seems as though many are losing their everloving little minds. The last night my husband worked, he responded to a double homicide next door to his parent’s house. Yesterday, a man drove his car deep into the nearby Target and got out saying he had a bomb. There were bomb threats at many businesses. You can’t make this stuff up. This is what our world is coming to my friend.

So, I ask you today, is your light shining brightly. Or do you turn it on on Sunday and maybe even Wednesday, but disconnect the bulb or unplug the light the rest of the week? Do you fear that if your friends and coworkers saw the light in you that they may accuse you of being a Jesus freak?

I used to think that way. I liked to love the Lord with all my heart on Sunday morning, but then the rest of the week, you would be hard pressed to see any light in me. But, I have found it much easier to just leave the light on. Because you see, us Jesus freaks have something that we don’t ever want to lose and that’s joy. We have this joy that you may not understand. We have a peace that even the Bible says you won’t understand (Philippians 4:7). And it’s so awesome, I want you to have it too. So, for that reason, I now leave the light on.

My prayer for you today is that you leave your light on 24/7 as well. I pray that you have the peace and joy that those around you may not understand, but definitely want.

Have a great weekend!