Light in Darkness

Use what you have for the Glory of God, and in so doing, you’ll be letting your light shine!

One of my weekday habits during the cool season is to crank my wife’s bus for her as I head out to work so the bus is warm when she starts her morning bus route (Keep practicing boys!). I pull my car to the bus, use my tiny flashlight I keep tucked away in the console to light up the dark interior of the bus, and get it going for Jenny. When I walk back to the car, my little light is completely unnoticeable in the brightness of the car’s headlights beaming towards me. But something happens as I walk past the beam of the headlights and into the darkness behind. My little light, as weak as it is, suddenly lights up the darkness allowing me to see. I reckon in lots of ways, we are like that little flashlight, and this little writing will attempt to highlight some practical ways to do as the old song says, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”

It’s no secret that we live in a dark world. Not a world of physical darkness, but one of spiritual darkness that reveals itself in myriad ways. Not coincidentally, God has placed us in this world at this particular time in history, into the families and circles we are in for the purpose of bringing His light into our little corners that are dark (Matthew 5:14-16). How exactly do we do that? The ways are limitless; only bound by one’s own willingness to see opportunities and faithfully step into the darkness with the light of Jesus. In our families and friendships, let us love and encourage one another to do good (Hebrews 10:24). In the workplace and at school, let us be an example to others of how to live for Jesus in every arena of life (Colossians 3:17). Serve others. Love others. Encourage others. Take seriously the encouragement that St. Francis of Assisi gave and “Go into all the world and preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” But by all means, get to the words of the gospel, because the gospel is what God has chosen to be His powerful tool for changing lives (Romans 1:16). Let your light shine, and when questions arise, shine the light on Jesus!

Let’s close with some practical application – not an exhaustive list, but hopefully a catalyst for thinking outside of the box about how to use what you’ve got for the glory of God: * Do you have a boat? Take someone fishing and talk about Jesus. * Do you have a car? Use it to take someone that doesn’t to do their shopping and talk about Jesus as you go. *Do you have a tractor? Offer to plow a garden spot for someone and talk of the goodness of God. *Are you good in School? Offer to tutor others for free and tell them about Jesus. *Are you good in sports? Teach others what you know and use it as a platform for sharing Jesus. *Do you love to hunt? Bring a kid along and introduce them to the outdoors and the God who created it. And on and on and on we could go, but you get the idea. Use what you have for the Glory of God, and in so doing, you’ll be letting your light shine!

Nearly 15 years ago now, I was sitting in my classroom with a young man that just needed someone to talk to. He was a good kid but hurting. He had no father at home – in fact, he didn’t even know who his father was. We found out that we both liked hunting and fishing. God placed the idea and desire to start an outdoor ministry for the express purpose of showing young men without a daddy figure in their lives that there is a Heavenly Father who loves them dearly. Rod and Staff Outdoor Ministries is just one person’s attempt to let their light shine, and I pray it keeps shining into the darkness of today’s culture showing kids and families that there is a God who paid a great price for them to have a relationship with Him (John 3:16).

The picture atop this post is one I took as I left for work before sunrise. When compared to the sun, the moon is awfully dim. But when it’s the only light in a world of darkness, it can light up everything. Be like that! Light up the world God has placed you in and let people see Jesus in you! And maybe under the full sun of a summer day, or perhaps on a pre-dawn walk to the deer stand our paths will cross and we can enjoy the glorious light of our Great God – In the Great Outdoors!