Turn on the Lights

As I have gotten older my distaste for driving at night has increased. I try to get all my errands finished before dusk begins to settle. If my evenings plans include a meal out at a favorite restaurant I even schedule it early so that I can get home before dark. I enjoy the comfort and security of home once the daylight has disappeared. As I think about the spiritual application to those preferences I realize that many people are out in the dark traveling about life's affairs. There is no comfort of home spiritually and they do not even have any "headlights" on their "vehicle."

The second similitude which are really applications of the Beatitudes speaks to the matter of light. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." In those days weary travelers would be able to see the cities well ahead of arriving at them. City buildings were mostly whitewashed and would glisten in the sunlight or moonlight. Rest and refreshment would beckon at the tired traveler and offer hope of relief from a long day or night of travel. We are to be like those cities. Our lives should shine and direct people along our way to the Jesus who is the place of rest and refreshment. This is true both in regard to strangers in life and to our own families. Jesus went on to say, "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

The whole purpose of our life as a Christian is wrapped up in the similitudes. As the salt of the earth and the light of the world our goal is in the words of Jesus "shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." As we pass through life we should be like a giant floodlight offering direction and encouragement. God wants to demonstrate his grace in and through us so that others may experience it as well. Let's be the tools that God intended us to be today.