Articles & Resources

Be The Light

Feb 22, 2021 | By Barb Oliver

"Can you leave the light on?" I asked as my mom was leaving my room. "I don't like the dark!" I was five years old, and my mom had just said my bedtime prayers with me and was going out of the room, shutting the door behind her. "You're fine," she had said. But I didn't feel fine. As soon as she closed the door, I could see him! It looked like a headless man standing across my room. I was afraid, and it wasn't just the darkness, but I was fearful of the things I saw in the dark!

Have you ever felt that way, afraid? Walking alone at night in an unfamiliar, poorly lit area, unsure of sounds and footsteps in a dark parking garage? Did you quicken your step to your car, maybe even have your keys in your hand, ready to unlock the door?

What is it about the troubling darkness? We may have had a bad experience in the dark. As a child, we may have been teased, frightened, or even hurt. As adults, we talk about dark versus light, good versus evil. We even discuss the condition of society as becoming "darker". Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God Day by Day says, "If however, you notice the world around you becoming darker and darker, don't blame the darkness! It is simply doing what darkness does. The only remedy for darkness is light!"

John 3:19-21 (NASB) tells us: "This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God."

The only way to dispel the darkness is to shine the light! His bright, illuminating light!

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." There was no doubt Jesus brought light into the world. - John 8:12

He brought truth, healing, and peace. Jesus exposed the hypocrisy and forgave sinners. No doubt Christ was the ever-present light where ever He went. The world was never the same once the Father sent His Son to be the light of the world!

And He gave us the same charge, "Be the Light."

We have a great responsibility; what a privilege to have God tell us to shine our light before others so they may see Jesus and give God the glory. "Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 

So I must ask myself, is the world a brighter place because of me? Does my neighborhood, my workplace, my home shine more brilliant with the Light of Jesus because of me? Can the presence of Christ radiate a warmth and a glow that is so attractive and compelling that others want to know Jesus? That's my prayer, that's what discipleship is all about.

That's what this year's IF: Gathering theme is: Be the Light. I want the Light of Christ to shine so brilliantly through me that others ask me about Him! "How can I know this Jesus?" This is how we take part in the Great Commission!

I called, "Mommy!" She came rushing into my room and switched on the light! Oh, I could breathe, what a relief, the headless man across the room was exposed! There was no reason to be afraid. With the light shining brightly, I could easily see there was no headless, scary man in my room. The light made it clear. It was only the ironing board, folded and leaned up against the wall. A crisp ironed shirt hung over the end, and in the dark, it appeared as a headless man! "What's wrong?" my mother asked. I pointed to the ironing board and the shirt. "That looked like a scary, headless man to me," I exclaimed!

She replied, "Oh, Honey, I just ran out of hangers after ironing, so I put Daddy's shirt over the end of the ironing board, that's all!" Now I was able to rest, sleep in peace. The light shining through the darkness made it clear, revealed the truth.

The light made a difference in my life; I hope He makes a difference in yours as well.

Shine the light!