It was 5 am one morning and I was up to study. As a graduate student I find that this is the best time to study. During the day, I’m bombarded with work and phone calls. I sometimes drive up to 3 different places to see staff and hold meetings in a day. In the evening, I’m a mom and wife to a great family. But my family is loud…I mean that in the gentlest respectful way I can. But I’m unable to read a chapter without interruption or listen to a lecture. It makes things difficult. This particular morning, I came out to sit in my favorite spot on the couch in order to read. I have pillows and a light blanket there beside a table where I usually place my coffee or tea. I sat down with my book and realized that the lamp that used to sit beside my table had been moved. As the mother of the house there is no change in décor without my input (or so I thought) so I’m sitting there with the dim light from the foyer looking for my lamp. With my eyebrows furrowed I used my cell phone as a flash light to look around. Both lamps are standing beside the fireplace mantel. Not feeling like rearranging furniture at 5am I decide to use my phone as the reading lamp. I fumbled with it under my chin, dropped it a few times and held it for a while to read the assigned chapters.
I was able to get my reading done that morning-although I could have done it better-but when I finished and turned on the news I heard about the senseless shootings in Las Vegas. I immediately thought about how we are called to be the light. Ephesians 5 speaks about imitating Christ. Verse 8 states:” For once you were darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.” We are called to walk as children of Light. We are a weapon in the hand of God. We must act like it. We possess the boldness needed to face the darkness and shed light upon it. In verse 13 Paul goes on to say,” But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light of God’s precepts, for it is light that makes everything visible.
What if someone could have been the light to the shooter? Where did we miss this sheep? Whose path was he on when we-Jesus disciples- missed an opportunity to be the light? Of course, I don’t know if he has ever been approached with the word of the Lord. I know we all have the power to pray for people who are in darkness-and we should- but I also believe that we must be bold enough to face the darkness in people as well. We shouldn’t be so lazy to fumble with some of the light like I did with my book. Sitting in the comfort of my home with my tea and pillows and blanket. We need to share what we know. Share the love of Christ to all. We should have the courage it takes to walk into the darkness as the light and shine brightly. Let’s be wise and make the most of our time on earth. In order for us to be the light we must take the time to be with the Lord. We must study so we can be always ready. All things become visible when they are exposed by the light of God’s precepts. Do you know where the light is? Where’s the light? It’s in you. Go shine.
Just keeping it CristaClear.
Scripture reference: Ephesians 5: 8-16