What is Your Little Light Shining?

Day 193 of Photo Inspirations -- What is Your Little Light Shining?
At my Life Group this week, we were discussing "letting our lights shine", when one of our gals mentioned that she had taken a course in college called "The Study of Lasers".  She went on to tell us that light travels in straight lines.  A laser produces light, but unless the laser light bounces off of something, you cannot see it.  The beam is invisible in normal air.  However, you can see the beam if there is something in the air, like smoke, that the light can bounce off of.  It takes time for our brains to understand what our eyes see.  Because of that, a fast moving laser beam spot will not look like a spot at all, but like a line of light.  That's AMAZING!

We had just talked about lighting a candle to dispel the darkness in our world.  Then she said, "There's a lot of difference between candlelight and laser light, and there are a lot of different lights in between:  incandescent, flourescent, halogen, LED.  She said, "Singing 'This little light of mine, I'm gonna' let it shine' sure takes on a whole new meaning with those thoughts.  Right?"

Different light sources have different purposes.  A soft candlelight brings calmness and sweet ambience to a room.  An incandescent light bulb is what Thomas Edison invented.  An electric current passes through the filament in the bulb, heating it to a temperature that produces light.  And, it can be dimmed or made brighter.  Then there's the flourescent light that gives a flat, cold light, often bluish and harsh. It is a daylight-equivalent and cannot be put on a dimmer. Then there are the LED -- Flood or Spotlights.  Those are the lights that cities are brilliantly lit up and it causes the evil lurkers to hide from them.  And, then there is the laser light.

I had an aha moment about the variations of light that we should consider since we are LIGHT bearers.  Unquestionably, there are times when we need to be soft candlelight that is calm, sensitive, and tender to those around us.  Other times, our light must be bold and bright to bring about clarity and illumination and eyes of understanding to be opened to the truth of God's love and Word.  Then there are times when our lights are flood and spot lights -- that dispel the darkness as we lift up He Who is the One deserving to be in the spotlight -- after all HE IS THAT LIGHT.  And then there is the LASER light that is the LASER Sword of "God's Word that is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."  Hebrews 4:12

This aha moment spoke to me about the times when I need to regulate my "little light" and pay attention to which light I should be shining at any given time -- especially when sharing about Him.   Yes, now as I sing "This little light of mine, I'm gonna' let it shine" -- I'm going to consider "Do I need to turn up the dimmer switch or turn it down?"  Do I put away the harsh, cold light that is insensitive and makes others just want to stay away from my light?  And, what about pulling out my LASER Sword of God's Word?  Those decisions are best accomplished by checking in with THE LIGHT SOURCE -- He Who knows everything about everything will guide us and help us light the way for others to come to Him.

"I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"

A couple of weeks ago, I heard from a friend who wanted to meet with me because she was very troubled, so we met at a restaurant, and spent about two hours talking about "issues" in her life -- those issues had been going on for many years, and she was consumed with it all and unable to find peace.  She had talked to friends who gave her conflicting advice which brought her even more confusion.  At that meeting I explained my response by using the salt and pepper shakers and a ketchup bottle.  I know God used our meeting that day, and His inspiration, to give me what I should share with those at the Advent by Candlelight events.  I explained it this way by using a small lit votive candle and another one that was unlit.

The unlit one represented the darkness in her life -- the confusion, rejection, disappointment, pain.  And the lit one was her.  I circled the unlit one with the lit one and said "Your world is revolving around the troubles -- and your thoughts are keeping you in the darkness.    And the more you keep your focus there, the more you'll be drawn to the darkness (the unlit candle)."

Then I replaced the unlit candle with the large lit candle.  That large candle represents Jesus.  When we focus on the ONE who said, "I am the LIGHT of the world, whoever follows ME, will NEVER walk in darkess" (John 8:12), then the darkness will diminish.  As we're drawn to spend time with the LIGHT, stay in fellowship with HIM, spending time in His Word, thinking about HIM -- He Who knows everything about everything, the answers we need will come from Him.  The divine set-ups and divine appointments and the "suddenlies" will start providing what we need.  We'll no longer be living in the darkness.

And I share those words with you, today, dear FB friends.  Maybe you are frustrated at the kids -- making yet another mess in the house you just cleaned, maybe you are in need of finances for the "extra" you'll need for this Christmas season, maybe you've received a negative health diagnosis, have relationship issues, have BIG decisions to make, and, now, the Christmas season has added to your stresses.  I encourage you, today, to cozy up to Him, THE LIGHT that shines so brightly and desires to dispel the darkness that is around you.  I promise you, He is the most reliable Counselor, the most indescribable  Prince of Peace and the ultimate source for restoring LIGHT to your world.