Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
This past weekend I finally got around to taking down our exterior lights (this image is from a few weeks back). I figured it was time to take them down and put them in storage. As I was up on the roof, carefully unclipping the lights off the gutter, I thought about the next time I would be back up, reversing the process. I’m not one to keep them up all year, but I do understand the concept.
We all have a chance to shine our lights all year long. Wait, am I suggesting keeping them dangling from the gutters all year? No, I am thinking of a very different string of lights. I am talking about the light God has given us. The light we need to show to others. Can you imagine, similar to me taking down the holiday lights off my house, if we chose to reflect the character of God to others only a few days out for the year? What would this world look like? I presume we all can agree that this type of world would look worse then what we see now.
In Matthew 5, we have a chance to read the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus describes us as the salt of the earth – as long as we continue to keep our saltiness. He points out if we lose our saltiness, we aren’t what we were intended to be. Let’s pick up in verse 14-16 (NIV) to see what we are called to do:
You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
As Christians we are asked to have our lights on (in full view), all the time. Not just around a specific event or a date on the calendar. No, He wants us to shine and reflect His love and compassion “365.” This allows all to see what God has done for us and what He can do for anyone that believes in Him. So, whether or not you still have colorful exterior lights attached to your home, make sure your True Light is on for all to see – every day.