Let Your Light Shine

PRA version:

“Be back soon,” I said as I rushed out the RV door, across the deck and along the back road of our camping club. The flashlight I grabbed on my way out looked dim. Oh, well. I know the way and it’s not that far. The few solar lights in my neighbor’s yard helped guide me as my ever-dimming flashlight barely lit the gravel road. Up ahead, I could see the lights of the Hemlock Comfort Station and I quickly punched in the door code and stepped into the first stall.

Whew. I made it. Of course, I could use my own RV bathroom, but running over to the restrooms saved on blackwater tank space. Plus, I got in more steps, especially if I returned the long way. There’s nothing like an urgent need to pull me away from my computer. When I drink more, I have to get up and get moving. It’s a useful plan.

“This flashlight is really dim!” I said to my husband. “I barely made it back. I’m glad the new neighbors have solar lights in their yard or I might have stumbled into the bushes. Here, check the batteries and see if they’re any good.”

“These are only 1.1 volts. Time to replace them.”

I always have him check because sometimes it’s not the batteries at all, but corrosion. Or it just stopped working. As I pulled out new batteries, I thought about how light needs some kind of power to shine.

Is my life-light dim or bright? Am I plugged in to the source of all light?

The more I spend time in His presence and soak up His love for me, the more I reflect His light and love. I don’t want the corrosion of distorted thinking or lies I believe to block the flow of His power at work in me. When I allow His light to expose these areas, He renews my mind and brings healing.

In Matthew 5, Jesus said we are the light of the world, and a light’s purpose is to be visible. I wrestle with this, as I’d rather tuck myself out of the way and not draw attention. I’m fine with brightening up my little corner. But there is a call to action in Jesus’s words. It’s not a passive thing to simply let our light shine; He says to make your light shine. 

This is also a call to boldness. Light exposes what darkness hides, and exposure often creates resistance. This is the part I find unnerving. But Jesus promises to be with me as I fulfill His purpose in me. He gives me the strength I need, and He will also give me the right words at the right time.

I don’t want to fall into a ditch or into the bushes on my evening walks for lack of light, so why am I willing to let others stumble into obstacles because I’m more comfortable hiding my light?

Lord, give me boldness to shine. Give me wisdom on how to shine. Use me as a vessel to shine your love and light into a world engulfed in darkness. Help me avoid assuming anything except your love for every person. Let me value others over my comfort. Amen.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV