Leave the Light On

They left a night light in the bathroom of the rental where we stayed recently. I notice things like that and find such gestures very thoughtful. We need light. If you wake up in the dark in a strange place and try to find your way, you will bump into the truth, into reality. It may feel like a stubbed toe in the morning. Light brings clarity. It helps us see what is really there. Of course, you need to look. How often do we not see what’s right in front of us?

“What do you want?” This is the first thing Jesus says in John’s gospel. This is such a big question. It often determines what we see. Do you want your sports team to win? If so, you may see signs of hope to that end, despite what the commentators say. Do you want to be well? You may look at the state of your health and feel pretty good.  Or, you may see things to worry about. The things we want can evoke hope or worry. So, it’s not only what you want, but how you deal with what you want that makes a difference.

There were two people with Jesus when he asked the question. They wanted to know where Jesus lived. They likely had many more things they wanted from Jesus. Maybe they were weary of the world around them. Perhaps they wanted to hope, but deep inside, they were worried about things in their life.

Jesus understands. He said, “Come and see.” To use modern-day terms, when Jesus showed them where he lived, it must have felt like Jesus turned on the lights. More than seeing a living room or a dining room, they saw life for the first time in the light of Jesus.

We need to be able to see in a different way. It was only after Paul was left blind on the Road to Damascus that he learned to really see. “We must learn to look with more than just our eyes and listen with more than just our ears,” writes Ken Gire*, “for the sounds are sometimes faint and the sights sometimes far away.

When our children were small, I wanted to create a home that reflected the light and the love of Jesus. I wasn’t sure how to do that. I felt like I needed some symbols. I found a garden hook, placed it near our front door, and hung a lantern from it. It was a small thing. I am not sure if it made a difference to our children, but every time I saw it, it reminded me of Jesus. I wanted him to be a part of our home.

As our children got older and were sometimes away from home past dark, I would light the lantern. It reminded me that Christ’s light was with them. I also hoped that somehow it would help them find their way back home. I wanted them to know that there would always be a light on for them, someone waiting, ready to welcome them in love.

The light reminded me of something else. I needed to be a light for my children. You may recall that Jesus said we are to be a light to the world. But there is more. Jesus says,” I am putting you on a light stand.”** When you are on a stand, you are held. The stand is supporting you. We may be uncertain at times or lack strength. As a light on a stand, we can rest in the strength of the stand. Jesus gives us the light and helps us shine forth. It doesn’t matter if it feels like your light is flickering like a candle—every tiny flicker of light counts. We just need to shine the light we have.

There is something else to keep in mind. You can increase your wattage. You can grow in the light. As we grow closer to Jesus, our path shines brighter and brighter. (Prv 4:18)  Jesus said, “I am the light.” In him there is no darkness at all. We can ask him to shine his light on us, helping us see any darkness within us. There are some things we need to work on. There may even be something we are hiding. It is safe to bring whatever may be hidden into the light with Jesus.

First, we need to come and see Jesus. We need him to turn on the lights for us. Over time, we can gain new eyes to see as we stay with him. He will shine forth the way so we can always find our way home to his love.

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* Ken Gire, Windows of the Soul: Hearing God in the Everyday Moments of Your Life.

** Mt 5:15 MSG