When we considered light previously, we were thinking about the paradox of light coming in the darkest times. Today we must consider the following statements and see if we cast some ‘light’ on what it could mean for us as we strive to ‘LIVE life to the full’.
In John 8:12, we read the words of Jesus,
Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
A friend of mine recently went for a run in the dark. He had a head torch, but it was not enough for him to miss the undulations that lay before him on the rough track he chose to night-run on (it was actually around 5:30pm but that’s night in the UK at this time of year!). The reality was the light was not enough. I wonder if this is true for us. We try our best to find things that make sense of the situations we face; that give us a path to follow. But sometimes our way goes wrong, and we end up off track, or injured.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, we read the words of King Solomon – a man known for his wisdom.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
There is a comfort in knowing where you are going. It’s even easier when you can see everything that is going on around you. But in the dark, with a torch, you can only see the next few steps. What can we do then to make our steps clearer? Firstly, we can turn to the source of light and ask for guidance. Secondly, we can choose to live out the challenge that Jesus calls us all to, in Matthew 5:14-16:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
At this Christmas time, as we celebrate the ‘Month of Hope’ in school and offer light to those around us, take time to reflect on the paths you are taking.
