Light a Candle
by Randy Robison
“You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your
good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)
It is springtime again and in Texas that marks the season of thunderstorms. Already, my family has faced the prospect of strong winds, heavy rains, loud thunder and dangerous lightning. As one of these storms moved overhead late one evening, the lights in our house flickered, threatening to leave us in the dark. My wife, knowing that darkness during a storm frightens our children, made a practical suggestion. "Light a candle," she said.
Despite living in the most advanced country on the face of the earth, with the best technology to light our way, the simplest and most effective way to keep fear at bay is the old-fashioned technique of wax, wick and flame. We didn't fear the wind; our house is sturdy. We didn't fear the rain; we live on high ground. We didn't even fear the lightning, which can strike indiscriminately, at any time. Our concern was the darkness.
As I watch the news lately, there seems to be a storm of another kind on the horizon. In Minnesota, a disturbed teenager walks into his school and shoots the security guard, teachers and classmates, many of them at point-blank range. In Florida, a mother and father watch their handicapped daughter slowly starve to death while the government threatens to arrest them if they dare put ice chips on her lips. In two separate states, two registered sex offenders murder two little girls.
Weary from watching the horror of at all, I try to escape into another form of madness: college basketball. But between the layups and free throws, I am bombarded with messages oozing with misplaced sexuality. A woman seductively sells overstocked shoes. An upcoming movie promises plenty of infidelity. And the happiest men in the world are the Queer Eye guys selling me soda and hair care.
It's enough to make me build an ark and pray for rain.
But what should our response really be to this encroaching darkness? As Christians, most of us don't fear the blowing winds because our shelter is the Most High. Nor do we feel threatened by the rain, because our lives are built on higher ground. And even the lightning -- the tragedy that strikes anyone at any time -- does not overly concern us. We realize that it's rare, but when it does happen we are powerless against it and take comfort in the ultimate promise of God to take care of us eternally.
Yet, the most unsettling aspect of the storm we face can be the immense darkness of it all. Can the violence in our communities ever be stopped? How do we handle this "right to die" issue? Can a child predator change or are they "born that way?" Must I abandon all morals in the name of tolerance? Everywhere, darkness.
May I make an old-fashioned, practical suggestion? Light a candle!
It is tempting to sit in the comfort of our Christianity and merely curse the darkness. In fact, it is even easier to close our eyes and a sleep through the storm. It takes effort to get up and do something about it. But the only way to dispel the darkness and fight back the fear that tries to overtake our loved ones is to hold up the truth of Jesus Christ, who is the source of all light. We must not hide His light in the safety of our homes, but take it to the dark places: our offices, our clubs, our communities.
How do we do this? Jesus told us very plainly when he said to let your light shine in front of other people "that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." It is through our actions that we illuminate His truth. When people see Jesus in us, the darkness in their lives gives in to love, hope and peace.
So when you feel the rumble of thunder or hear the winds begin to blow, boldly step into the night to rescue those lost in fear. Show them the way to the Light of the World through your good deeds.
This Week
Read Matthew 5:1-12 to learn exactly what actions Jesus instructed us to take. (Note how condemnation is not one of the options!) Look for an opportunity this week to display Jesus’ light.
Prayer
”Lord, thank you for sending Your light into our darkened world. Show me how I can shine the light of your love on the life of someone else this week.”
