Be the Light!

I don’t know why exactly, but when I saw a picture similar to the one at the top of this blog, I was surprised. A hand holding a lit match, with light from another source, cast a shadow of the hand and match, but no shadow of the flame! Why?

It was a simple lesson that light itself does not create a shadow! Only something that comes between the light and another object results in a shadow. Boom! The light dawned (pardon the pun!) I quickly saw the parallel between the physical and biblical characteristics of light and darkness.

Scripture abounds with verses on light, such as John 1:5 ~ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. The first four verses of John chapter 1 talk about who Jesus is, saying that He is the Life, and that Life was the Light of men. So the physical properties of light and darkness are used as a metaphor to say that Jesus is the Light for mankind, and the darkness (evil, the world) cannot overcome it. What hope!

Jesus words in John 8:12 confirm this: Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

So if we truly follow Jesus, we walk in that light too; otherwise we better take stock of ourselves! This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1John 1:5-7

Reading God’s word brings light too, as Psalm 119:105 says, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Verse 130 reads, The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Once we come to Jesus, we are in Him and He is in us. So, we become light to the world also! Matthew 5:16 tells us, 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.

People are desperate for true Light today. They need kindness, like simply a smile and a sincere, “How are you doing today?” They need someone to sit with them in their grief and loss, or rejoice with them in times of joy. Someone who sees them as God does, and recognizes they too are loved by their Creator just as much as you are. They need someone who cares enough to show them that Jesus is the answer.

There is so much darkness in the world today and it seems to be ever growing. We have been called out of that darkness into "His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9) There simply cannot be darkness where there is light. So show others the way. Be the light!