I read a little quip recently. It went something like this. Do you know the purpose of the little toe? Its job is to find furniture in the dark.
Isn’t that the truth? I can certainly recall a number of times when I have gotten up in a place that I am unfamiliar with, not having sufficient light in the room and stubbed my little toe on the edge of a bed or chair. Yikes that hurts!
God doesn’t want us walking around in the dark. He has provided us with light for our way.
“A light shines in the dark for those who are good, or those who are merciful, kind, and fair.” Psalm 112:4 ERV
So many obstacles can be placed in our way on this path of life but God gives us light so we can maneuver around the pitfalls and the stumbling stones and even those sharp edges of furniture.
“I gain understanding from your instructions, so I hate anything that leads people the wrong way. 105 Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.” Psalm 119:104-105 ERV
God gave us His word so that we will have a well-lit path and not be caught in darkness. Jesus said He came to bring light to the world.
“Then Jesus said loudly, ‘Everyone who believes in me is really believing in the one who sent me. 45 Everyone who sees me is really seeing the one who sent me. 46 I came into this world as a light. I came so that everyone who believes in me will not stay in darkness.'” John 12:44-46 ERV
Jesus said that He was the light of the world. He shines in the dark places and lights the path so we don’t lose our way. He brings light to our souls and salvation to our lives.
Lighthouses were built as a beacon of safety for ships that had been out at sea. As they returned home the beacon would light the way. But it was almost necessary to have smaller lights lining the rocky shoreline. These lower lights steered the ships from danger.
Jesus is the light of the world. He is the bright beacon. God’s word is the lamp that lights our paths and we are the lower lights that are also necessary to bring others to safety.
“ You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. 15 People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 ERV
I like to think of us, as believers in Christ, like the moon. We have no real light of our own but we glow with the light that we have absorbed from the Son. We are a reflection of His light.
As we continue to stay in fellowship with the Lord and read His word, we will be a light to others.
This little light of mine – let it shine!