We are used to having our homes filled with blazing light, every corner visible. In ages past, a candle or oil lamp lit the place with many nooks and crannies left in semi-darkness – yet lit.

In darkness, any light becomes bright. A city on a hill in a dark landscape becomes a beacon, lighting the way to rest and restoration for the traveler.

Have you ever noticed that if you have the lights in your home blazing, then light a candle, you can see that the candle is lit, but it is not really noticeable. Same with the night sky. With the street lights and porch lights, the stars are there, but not really visible. Turn out those other lights and the stars fill the sky with light.

Jesus said His followers are the light of the world, like a city on a hill. We who are believers are to be that beacon, lighting the way for sojourners to find rescue, rest, and restoration along their way. We are to gather with others, like a city is built up – buildings next to one another, each with lights to shine forth.

What I’ve seen, though, is that many of us may be gathered together, but we’re keeping our light inside the gathering place. We’re not venturing into the dark to let our lights be noticed. We’re not rescuing, we’re hiding in the light.

We must choose to live as that Light Jesus declared us to be. We are to represent Him in this world that doesn’t know Him. We’re to be different from the world, living in the culture, but not swallowed up by it. We’re to live as foreigners on this earth, shining the light that leads the way Home.

• So…. what do we do?
• We step outside our clubs, our churches, our small groups, and we shine.
• We go forth into our daily lives being different, watching our tongues, not joining in gossip or denigration of others.
• We discuss issues at hand without losing our tempers or calling names.
• We share when we have little.
• We give when others are taking.
• We love radically and passionately – enough to call out those we love to a better way.

We must allow our lights to be in darkness so they are seen. We have to remember that as we do that, the darkness does not snuff the light, it is penetrated by it. That’s how we must be.

Jesus said that as His follower you are salt and light. You are. Just because you’re His. It’s time to step into that calling and live it well. Are you ready?

Coffee, Bible, Journal.

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