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I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of light.  Jn 8:12

Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Mt 5:16

    Note – an Excerpt from “Sailing With God”

What does it mean to shine for Jesus?  When I was young the world seemed bright and the possibilities endless.  In life I stood side by side with Christians and unbelievers, and to be honest, if it wasn’t Sunday morning it was hard to tell the difference between believer and unbeliever.  We looked the same, we spoke the same, we acted the same – but come Sunday morning one of us got to sleep in, while the other put on their best clothes and went to church.

 There were some good ministers that could stir the soul and feed faith – but unfortunately, we often listened to a rather dry sermon and then went home and changed back into our everyday clothes and life.  That is what is seemed to mean to be a Christian for decades in America.  God lived most in the four walls of the church.  Outside of church, He became a still small voice that was often fairly easy to ignore under the onslaught of my own free will.

    It is many years later.  I am now old and sitting outside on a lonely dock surrounded by a very grey world.  There is no brilliant light of dawn to bring songs to the birds waking up from their nights sleep.  The river which is meandering past reflects the grey gloomy sky with foreboding.  All is silent and yet my heart is heavy as I realize it is a perfect picture of the timing of our world.  Like a dark cold blanket of grey, sin has covered our once blessed land.  The bright hope of yesterday was lost through foolish indulgence, and even more foolish leaders.   The brilliant light of dawn has passed our world has greyed with age and sin.

     As I look out of over the grey river, I notice flickering lights along the shore that seem to beckon me with warmth and hope and I instantly think of our Lord’s words – “I am the light of the world and let your light shine”.  All lights have a source of power.  No lights on earth shine on their own.  Whether it is electricity – sunlight – coal – oil or gas – a light only shines because it burns.  So, it is with the Christian.  We don’t shine on our own.  We shine only when we reflect the true light – Jesus Christ.  During the day we don’t need lights – and we don’t even think about our lack of light.  We go about our business without even thinking about shining in the darkness.  But on a grey overcast morning – when only flickering lights give a hint that an equally grey river is meandering by, the truth of God’s words shout loud.   We shine best in a darkened world. 

    Oh, how foolish we were to waste so many beautiful days, months and years trying to be like everyone else.  How foolish we were to waste our wealth and strength on the world which will never satisfy.  In trying to look and be like the world we dimmed our lights and in so doing lost the beautiful blessings of God.  Now our world is changing, freedoms are lost, the future seems uncertain at best.

   Christians wake up, rekindle your oil.  Remember the virgins and their lamps how sleepy they got as they waited for the bridegroom to arrive.  Refresh your oil through prayer and God’s Word and shine on.  Your bridegroom is coming with the dawn – but first we must all shine – for the night has fallen.   Turn to the Lord and reflect His light in a darkening world.  The next gorgeous sunrise of promise is coming – but night is falling first.  The night is going to grow darker and more difficult.  You Christian are the light of the world…shine on for Christ.  Keep your eyes heavenward – this world has nothing to offer you.  You have everything to offer this dark world – you have Jesus Christ.  So, shine on…and come Lord Jesus.