Turn on the LIGHT!

“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


My daughter's old bedroom is full of starlight.

I had forgotten this, but the other day, I fell asleep while reading on her old bed. (I am old.  Whenever I stop moving...I fall asleep!)

When I woke in the darkness, I had to blink.  The walls of the room were shimmering with "stars" of neon paint. Enid had dabbed the hopeful little lights on her wall years and years ago.  I never got around to painting over.

Truth be told, the shimmering light was kinda pretty.  We can all use a little light.

Jesus told us we can share the light....if we want.  Light shines in the darkest times.  Light shows the way.  Light can even bring hope.

I used to work in a hospital run by beautiful German nuns who worked in Berlin during the Second World War.   Bombing often took them into underground shelters.  Darkness was thick, deep, forboding in those bomb bunkers.

"Der light of one candle could calm us," Sister Hildegarde told me.  "Ven ve saw der light, we had hope."

When we let Jesus into our lives, He brings light to us in so many ways:

Jesus gives us:

...The light of love

...The light of hope

...The light of understanding

...The light of salvation

Why in the world would I want to take Jesus' gift of light and hide it?

Enter:  Paranoid and forgetful follower of Christ -- That's me.

When I "hunker down" in my corner and keep all that light to myself because I too darn tired to go out,...welp, I'm putting  my light under a bowl.

When I rush around with my "to-do" lists and forget I possess a light which needs to be shared, I'm putting my light under a bowl.  I should always take the time to share the light.    

Who's gonna see the light with me around?  My bunker can get pretty dark in this worldly war.  

OK, Jesus.  In Matthew 5, verse 15, you tell me I shouldn't put my light under a bowl.

I've gotta remember that.

I need to let Jesus give me the energy.  I need to let Jesus give me the opportunity.

I need to hold up my light...so I can find my way.

- How about you?