The Light of The World

This weekend, while camping with our grandson, we went on a couple of hikes. He has a cute 'hungry caterpillar lamp that I bought him for Christmas, but he wanted a flashlight of course.

“Don't look at the light!” “No! Don't shine it in my eyes!” “Make it go on the ground so we can see where we are going.” “Don't shine it in people's faces -they can't see when you do that; it makes them unhappy.” “The trees and clouds don't need it.” “Shine it on the road so we can see where we are going!” “You're blinding me, buddy.”

In the past few days, I've seen that experience replicated in the spiritual realm. We are the 'light of the world.' “Let your light shine, therefore, in front of people so that they can see the good deeds you do and give Glory to God your Father.”

The guy holding the flashlight in a group who are walking in the dark must be conscious of not only his own need and opinion, but of the others with him who need the light as well. Often we shine it anywhere but on the path. Sometimes we blind people and actually make them stumble. Sometimes we blind ourselves with the light and we can't see anything for awhile -not the path, not the people who need light. Sometimes we just annoy others and make them turn further from our way. Sometimes we consider ourselves tour guides instead of servants helping people to see the way.

I recall another campout when we were camped a bit further down the road from the restrooms. I was headed there in the dark but I couldn't use my flashlight because I was carrying trash to the dumpster. A guy I didn't know at all came along side with a flashlight and lit my way. Then he offered to wait and help me back to my site. I assured him that I had the return trip covered and thanked him for his kindness. As he turned away, I also thanked my God for sending someone to help.

Those of us who know the grace of God are the light. We just are the light. We don't have to worry that we'll be turned off and set on a shelf. But we must not take our ability as our own. The one who made us the light knows where, when and how to use that so that people can see and glorify God for our influence.