Luke 8:16
SàNo one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.
HàJesus has just finished explaining the parable of the sower to his disciples and here explains that no one lights a lamp just to cover it up. He reminds them that a light is meant to be on a stand that all may see as they enter the house. Perhaps Jesus is suggesting that his followers are the light of this world; that his followers are to be the lights that stand upon this world and shed light upon this place. Perhaps Jesus knows that the temptation to hide the light will be great and He tells this story to point to the absurdity it would be to be the light of the world and not let our light shine.
AàWhy is it so difficult to be the light Jesus desires me to be? Why do I feel this pull to put my light underneath a bed instead of let it shine in the world? What does it mean to let me light shine in the world? How can my every action be an instrument of this light? What would it mean to view ever single moment as an opportunity to let my light shine? How would my actions change if I saw it as my responsibility to let my light shine and that without my light shining God’s house is not as bright as it should be?
PàJesus, thank you for reminding me that I am a light in the darkness of the world. Thank you for convicting my heart of the responsibility I have to shine in this world. Continue to shape me into the light you desire. Protect me from the temptation to hide my light under the bed. Continue to expose the darkness of my sin with your light that I might shine brighter for you. Thank you for this empowerment and continue to pour your grace on me today that I might be a light for you. Amen.
EàI am a light for the living God in the darkness of this world.
