Punching Holes in the Darkness

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NLT)

Anne Graham Lotz tells of a night in Robert Louis Stevenson’s boyhood when his nanny just couldn’t get him to bed. Young Robert just kept staring out the window, oblivious to her talking to him. Finally, she said, “Robert, what in the world are you looking at out there?” As she pulled back the curtain, she realized he was watching the lamplighter making his way down the street, lighting one streetlamp after another. Young Robert Louis Stevenson saw something more. He said, “Look at that man! He’s punching holes in the darkness!”

That thought grabbed my attention as I consider what Jesus said: “YOU (WE) ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!” We, you and I as followers of the Most High God, are bearers of God’s eternal light to the people in our spheres of influence. Every second of every day we bear witness to His light or fail to do so. “Yeh, but what about the time I’m alone?” Perhaps the most important time to allow His light to shine!

The older I get the more aware I become of the need of those whose lives our light shines upon to see and feel the effects of His Holy presence. What is His light, but evidence of His presence? As I spend time sitting in waiting rooms in doctor’s offices I’m struck by the sadness, loneliness, and lostness of many of those I see. That’s why at every opportunity we should engage them with words of encouragement and even offer to pray with them, but unless His light fills us by His Spirit it cannot flow out of us to brighten someone else.

Darkness prevails in our world today and God’s express purpose for us is to punch holes in it with our life, our kind, encouraging words, and our witness for our Risen Savior. Who will spread the light if not us? You and me, filled with His Spirit, activated by His love, motivated by all He’s done and is doing in our own lives? We ARE His lights, we don’t have to muster anything to become light, all we have to do is allow Him to shine through us to those in our spheres of influence.

What are some ways we can punch holes in the darkness? These are a few that come to my mind first: kindness, thoughtfulness, love, generosity, prayerfulness, openness to the Lord’s Spirit, and sensitivity to His leadership. Often the first step in getting someone to see their need of Jesus is to help them see their need of friendship…with us, as children of God.

Do you realize how inviting kindness is? I can’t count the number of conversations I’ve had because of some kindness I’ve extended without giving it a thought. Opening the door for someone, complimenting their smile or clothing; offering to help them in some way, paying for their meal, buying them gas, giving them a hug.

People are starving for kindness, to be noticed, to understand that their life counts for something more than the mundane existence they’re experiencing. Light drives out darkness and kindness can help drive out pain and heartache. Kindness isn’t the only way to let the Lord’s light shine, but it’s certainly a great opening to sharing His love and life with those who are hurting. People are much more open to listen to someone they like than someone they don’t. And, of course, light shines much more brightly through a clean vessel.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊