Different types of light - How will Jesus use you today?
When I arrived in Ketchikan for my visit to see my mom and brother, I got in around 5PM, and it truly was a “dark and rainy night” already! I guess the grayness of winter, not just here, but at home in Illinois, too, has me pondering light a lot lately. So, the thought hit me that different types of light are needed for different situations, and as Christians, Jesus calls us to share His light everywhere. He tells us to be salt and light, and He even says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (Matthew 5:13-15)
In these few verses, we see a couple of different ways light is useful, which Jesus alluded to in order to teach us His lesson. He gives us the example of a city up on a hill shining forth its light for travelers from every direction to see. Home after home in that city would have their lamps lit, illuminating their homes, but collectively, their inner light could help a traveler find his or her way to a place where their needs could be met and hospitality found. I can’t help but think of God’s church in this context. As we stay in communion with our Savior — the true Light of the world— as He keeps illuminating our lives, touching our families, answering prayers, loving us, we can’t help but share His goodness with others. As the church, when we faithfully employ our spiritual gifts and help our local churches thrive, we are that “city of the hill”.
My thoughts this afternoon meandered to the various kinds of light and how each has certain settings where they do the most good, but other settings where they wouldn’t be so helpful. A lighthouse, like in the picture that accompanies this post, shines intense, bright light into the night, warning vessels, large and small, of hidden rocks, shallow waters or especially rocky and dangerous coastlines. They also can guide a ship to safe harbor. Each light house has a different pattern of light, which helps a sailor determine where they are in a storm. The intensity of the light has to pierce deep into the darkness and be seen from far away. Ministries and ministers all over this globe are being used by God to pierce the darkness with the truth of God’s word. Whether messages are relayed by radio or over the internet or in person by faithful chaplains in the dark places of hospitals, the military, ships, or college campuses, the light is going forth. But all of us are called to be witnesses and ministers of Jesus, and as we faithfully and boldly warn our loved ones, or even strangers that God brings our way, about the perils of sin and living for self, the world and the devil, we can help show them the jagged rocks and shallow places that can shipwreck them. At the same time, we can show them the way to the safe harbor that only Jesus provides.
There are times though when a spotlight is not what someone needs and we have to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. There are times when a soft candlelight or lamp is what will help a friend or family member or a new acquaintance find the love and compassion of God that their hearts are longing for. Our listening ear, our gentleness in the Lord, the mercy God moves our heart to have and express, and our prayers, all can bring the light of Jesus to the hurting heart. This light can help them have faith and hope in the One who loves them more than we can comprehend.
Whatever type of light God may be calling us to be on any given day, Jesus’ exhortation is clear. We are never to hide our light. We must allow the light that He has put within us shine and draw people to Him. Jesus says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” It is incredible, but the good works we do, the love we show, the kind word we utter, the patience we exercise, all have the incredible ability of introducing others to the nature of our Heavenly Father. How incredibly beautiful is that!
I did a quick search of the various ways the Lord God has proclaimed that He is light or shone His light in Scripture. There are over 200 verses that refer to light. In Genesis one, alone, the word light or lights shows up 13 times. Here’s some of those instances:
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;….
God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, ….
….and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.
The light God gives goes forth for all kinds of purposes! It pushes back the darkness, it creates a dividing line separating light from darkness, it gives us day, so we can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and do the work God gives us for those hours. The sun governs the day and the moon the night and the stars are for signs and seasons, and our star, our sun, helps us mark days and years. And God saw that the light He made was good!
I think this is a theme that God may have me on for a bit, so I’ll save some of the fascinating “light” verses that I came across in Exodus and the Psalms for another time. For today, though, take some time to pray and ask the Lord to show you the type of light He is calling you to be in the different situations He leads you to. Ask Him how to shine His light for the precious people He allows you to connect with. Will He call you to be a city on the hill, a lamp in your home, a lighthouse, or a soft candle, bringing hope and comfort to someone whose darkness has weighed them down.
Whatever you do, help others see Jesus.
His light saves!
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If this post blessed you, then consider checking these out as well:
Tending the fire, drawing others to Jesus’ light — The Hopeful Buttercup!
From darkness to Light! — The Hopeful Buttercup!
Be a Prism - A Prayer for His Light to Shine Through His People! — The Hopeful Buttercup!
My book, Journey into Trust, has many pieces that will encourage you to walk in the Light and to shine your light. It includes my testimony and the gospel as well as a salvation prayer written by a local chaplain. You can learn more about it here:
Journey into Trust Description — The Hopeful Buttercup!
BUY JOURNEY INTO TRUST — The Hopeful Buttercup!
Have a blessed day, shining our Lord’s life-giving light!
Dawn
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PHOTO CREDITS
Light House Photo Credit: Photo by Gaia Armellin on Unsplash
Turned on light house tower photo – Free Grey Image on Unsplash
Lantern Photo Credit: Evgeni Tcherkasski (@evgenit) | Unsplash Photo Community
Turned-on gas lamp on rock beside sea photo – Free Image on Unsplash
Candle photo credit: Prateek Gautam (@pgauti) | Unsplash Photo Community
Person holding lighted oil lamp photo – Free Brown Image on Unsplash
