Even though we’re an old married couple, Valerie and I still try to make Friday night our date night. We had gone out to dinner that evening and when we returned home we immediately noticed that all the lights were out and we were in total darkness! I quickly found some candles, and soon as we lit a few of them things changed. We could see each other’s face and suddenly the fear and apprehension was replaced by a warm, cozy somewhat romantic mood. Once we got a little light shining it made all the difference in the world!
You know it got me to thinking about how we are to let our lights shine as Christians in a dark and sinful world. The Lord calls you and me to be that little light in our dark corner of the world. Maybe you're in a place where dishonesty seems to be the norm, or talking trash against other people. When sin is a laughing matter, people don't seem to give much thought to trying to be the light. But then there's you! You're the living proof that there is another way to be; that there's hope, instead of despair. There's integrity, instead of deceit. There's looking out for others, instead of just looking out for self. You're the light!
In Matthew 5:14, Jesus says,
"You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do people light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it gives light to all in the house, Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The thing that Valerie and I noticed when we were in the dark that evening was that it only took a little light to make a big difference! My friend, that's true where you are also! You may not feel like you're making much of a difference, but if you weren’t in that place it might be total darkness. You and I must realize that we are the face, voice and hands of Jesus in a dark and sinful world. Our little light can make a big difference! Now some people try to just put all the lights together and make one big spotlight. Can you imagine a dark house where you put all the light fixtures in one room and leave the rest of the house dark? No, you need to spread the light into all the dark places. And if the Lord has placed you in one of those dark places, realize He has trusted you to be His light there. Rest assured that the devil is going to do everything possible to put out your light! He'll push all your buttons to discourage you, to get you to compromise or better yet just quit. But let me encourage you not to give in, don't let your light flicker, don’t let your light go out.
It was really dark that night, but Valerie and I learned the value of what a difference a little light can make. You may be that shining light where you are. So shine on my friend, it would be a dark world without you!