Interior designers often say the right lamp can set the mood of an entire room. But its impact depends greatly on the lightbulb it holds. If the light is too bright, it can overwhelm the space. If it’s too dim, it can hide the aesthetic beauty of the overall design. Whether it’s for design or utility, Jesus asks, what good is a light if it’s not turned on or covered up?
Now there are basically three kinds of light: natural, artificial, and spiritual. Natural light is the physical source of all life. It was the first thing God did to interrupt the chaos of darkness. This light is essential to our existence. Unless we are some weird kind of fungus, we can’t live without it. The sheer miracle of photosynthesis is important to the plant who absorbs the sunlight and turn it into a form of energy. We get that energy either directly by eating plants, or indirectly by eating something else that eats those plants. Natural light has the ability to penetrate the ground to give life to dead seeds. And it can bend and bounce across the universe to illuminate our side of the world long after we’ve turned away from the sun. Then there’s artificial light, like lightbulbs or candles. Unlike natural light, artificial light is only useful if and when someone turns it on. Flip the switch on a flashlight, and you can see your way out of a dark cave or through a dense forest at night. The beacon of a lighthouse can lead ships safely to shore. And as Sean knows…a basic bright lightbulb can help us navigate words in a book, and expose dangers hidden in the dark. Artificial light can also change the way we see things. Take for example black light. It can make colors literally glow in the dark. And its ultraviolet rays expose stuff we would have gone unnoticed. Like dandruff or lint on a shirt. Police use black lights in crime scenes. And doctors use them to heal acne, kill fungus, and detect melanomas. But again, none of that can happen if their light is hidden or off. The same is true about our spiritual light. This is an inner light we all possess. A different kind of light that helps us see and understand the difference between good and bad, the metaphorical bright and dark side of our inner being. Spiritual light helps illuminate the positive - which comes in handy when we’re stuck in those dark places of negativity, depression, fear, anxiety, and grief. Spiritual light has the power to radiate peace, calm, and hope to others when everything seems dark and chaotic. You might remember President George H.W. Bush used the phrase "a thousand points of light" to describe the power of volunteerism and community service. He encouraged individuals and communities to connect their light with one another to make a bigger impact. Like Christmas tree lights, when we are connected together, we can shine more brightly and do better as we guide more people to the safety of God’s glory. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” He is saying this about you, about me, and about us as part of his holy Body. Shine your light. Do not hide it. But to shine brightly as God intended for us means we have to be plugged in. And not just to any source of energy, but the powerful, life-giving current of the One who said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). God gave us this spiritual light so we can shine brightly. But also, so we will remain connected to our divine source, where we draw what we need to do what we are called to do. To walk in the light and love of Christ. And radiate his life in all that we do, illuminating those dark and cavernous places we find ourselves in. Whether your light is bright and bold, or a gentle glow, what good is it if it’s hidden and not seen? A lamp’s sole purpose is to illuminate the room. Back then, the typical household could only afford to keep one or two lamps burning. Its position in the room was key to its effectiveness. I have sat in plenty of dark rooms with only a small tea candle burning. Although it’s rarely enough light to read a book by, eventually its beams overtake the darkness, shining just enough for to see my way around. In the same way, if a small flame can illuminate an entire room, then imagine what your spiritual light can do to brighten up someone’s life. Jesus calls us, “the light of the world.” We were made to shine as brightly as that first light which appear with such a big bang that it forever changed the darkness. When I was little, I sang “This little light of mine…I’m gonna let it shine.” Then I grew up and put that light away with the rest of my childhood. I clothed and covered my faith with things that would help me blend in. Like a plant left in a closet, my faith began to wither, as I began to absorb the darkness and all the pain and suffering it brought me. In his book Tattoo’s On The Heart, Greg Boyle describes a conversation he had with a young man struggling with the darkness of shame and self-worth. Boyle writes, “You think you’re in a dark room, and the only thing left to do is to hunker down and live in the darkness. But the door is wide open, and all you have to do is turn the knob and walk out. Or, even better, reach out and flip on the light switch.” Maybe you are in a dark closet. Maybe you are not seeing or feeling that inner light within you. Check your connection. Are you plugged to the right source? And if you are, and still feeling this way, then maybe you need to flip on the switch, and allow God’s love and grace surge through you. When we’re plugged into Christ’s light, we find our light. And can shine with the power of God’s love that flows through us like a sacred and holy circuit. Jesus is not telling us to go start a fire, or to burn bigger and brighter than others. He’s simply telling us to plug into his way. Then put yourself in a place where your light can be the most effective. He wants you to take an inventory of anything that hides your light and keeps you from shining like a city on a hill. What are the baskets in your life that are hiding your light? Is it fear, shame, guilt? Maybe it’s pettiness, jealousy, gossip? Perhaps you’re holding onto some past resentment? Or anger, stubbornness, or pride? These are not qualities that radiate the light of Christ in you. They only obscure it. And stop you from revealing God’s glory. I want to leave you with a quote Martin Luther King who said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” As small or dim as that light might seem – you are always enough for God to overcome all the darkness of the world. Same is true about your love. When we join our light and love to others, we can shine brighter. And overcome the darkness of hatred, bigotry, injustice, and violence. So join me and let’s flood Anamesa with the light of so much love, that we can be seen from space. Together, let us illuminate with such intense brightness that heaven and earth will be one, and there will be no more need for sun or moon. Let us plug in and harness the light of Christ together. And with one voice we will sing, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” Work Cited Adapted from a sermon series, Questioning Jesus: What Good Is A Light If It’s Not Plugged In?” (June 9, 2019) Bartlett, David L. and Barbara Brown Taylor, eds. Feasting on the Word, Year A, Vol 1. [Westminster John Knox: 2010]. Boyle, Greg. Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. Free Press, 2010. Jeffers-Schori, Katherine. Shine As The Light Of The World For God’s Glory. [episcopalchurch.org : Dec. 16, 2008] (Accessed on June 6, 2019.)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Copyright © 2011