“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." Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
I grew up singing "This Little Light of Mine" as a kid in church. Even today, my kids sing it heartily in chapel every week at school, waving their fingers like candle wicks:
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine -
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
As inspiring as this song is, there has always been a part of me that felt some pressure about being the "light". How could I possibly shed light? To be one that the world would see and think of God seems an overwhelming task. Besides, there are many days that my heart can feel rather dark. To be "light" when I feel "dark" seems downright impossible.
However, last night I read something that sort of put this whole "be a light" calling on its head. Louie Giglio, founder of the Passion movement, challenged his audience one night: "Be the moon!"
What? All this time I'd been trying to be the sun! Hmm...
The more I pondered this directive, the more it made perfect sense. After all, doesn't the moon get its light from the sun? Moonlight, the light that reaches Earth from the Moon, consists mostly of sunlight.
 |
| A full moon is about 500,000 times fainter than the sun. Similarly, we will never be the full expression of the glory of the One and Only. And yet, the moon is the brightest object in the sky after the sun! |
If I am going to "be the moon" as Louie challenges, I have to get my light from the Son.
Louie confirmed that, saying,"You don't have any light on your own. We only reflect the light of Another."
Beautifully, Genesis 1:26-27 reveals this was God's design and intent from the very start:
Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.” God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female.
(The Message)
"Reflecting our nature; reflecting God's nature." God never intended for us to let our own little lights shine - to be our own lights of the world. He meant for us to reflect THE Light, His Light! After all, we were created to be His image-bearers.
The more God reveals to me the ways in which I try to follow Jesus in my own strength, and in my own way, the more I see how I've made myself an idol in my own pursuit of God. What irony. The more I strive and the less I surrender, the more I dampen that divine reflection. The more I distort it with Self and the fingerprints of the world.
Jesus gently reminds me of what He said in John 15:5: "You can do nothing apart from Me." Not even the divine reflection for which I am made.
It's true. A reflection requires a light source.
The sun is a source of light. The moon is a reflection of that light. For me to "be the moon", I must reflect the Son's Light!
But, what does this look like, if not by self-effort?
I hear Louie again: "When you and I get in the right place, Christ shines in us."
And I hear echoes of John 15:4 ... Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No image bearer can reflect by itself; it must remain in the light source. Neither can you reflect unless you remain in My Light.
I need to be aquatinted with and know God's character by way of a daily, intimate relationship with Him so that I am able and equipped, by His Spirit within me, to be His reflection.
In Christ, I get to be the moon, shining the soft glow of hope in the dark night of this present world. Our ability to shed the Light of Christ in this dark and broken world is an honor and a high calling. May our reflections point others to the True Source of Light.
I can already feel that strange burden of being a light lifting. I am not responsible for producing the light, only reflecting it! I was never meant to be the sun (or the Son). As I yield my will to Christ Jesus, I position myself in Christ's presence. There, I can absorb Him - His character, His love, His grace, His forgiveness - His Light.
When we draw near to God, He draws near to us. And when He does, His Light covers us. Just like when the moon is in alignment with the sun, it reflects that brilliant light and illuminates our world.
Make us your own, your holy people, / light for the world to see. / Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. / Shine through the darkness. / Christ, be our light! / Shine in your church gathered today. // Christ Be Our Light // Bernadette Farrell
You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 MSG
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ What can you do, practically speaking, to better position yourself to absorb the light of Christ in your life? What does this look like on a moment-to-moment, day-to-day basis?
+ We were made to reflect... And if not God, we will reflect something. Consider what you may be reflecting. Is there sin, judgment, unforgiveness, a twisted gospel, pride, brokenness being reflected? If so, start by realigning yourself with the Son through confession and repentance. Then soak up His grace-light. He will ready you to reflect a clearer image of Him.
+ Journal and imagine what the characteristics are of the Light. What is it like? How do you know it when you see, hear, feel or experience it?
+ Find at least one way each day to be a light to someone, sharing the love of Christ.
+ Think of a time when you noticed someone else being a light. What can you learn from them?
