Shine In '09

Recently my daughter Lauren (9) told me that the bulb in her lamp needed to be replaced. So, I got a new bulb and put it in. However, when I turned the switch on the lamp still did not work. Being the wise person that I am I immediately checked to see if the power cord was plugged into the receptacle. And sure enough, it was. So, I tried other bulbs just to ensure that the problem was the lamp and not the bulb. After several attempts I concluded that the lamp is not working properly. So, when I find the time, I’ll have the pleasure of taking the lamp apart to see if I can diagnose the problem (just maybe some of my electrical/electronic training will pay off).

As I reflected on Lauren’s lamp I thought of something. The lamp looks nice. In fact, it looks almost like new, as if it just came out of the package. And yet, it does not work—it gives off no light! It looks like a lamp but it does not shine like a lamp should. It has a socket for a bulb but it still does not allow a bulb to shine. So, except for being a nice fixture to take up some space on a nightstand, it is pretty much useless.
By comparison, there are those individuals who profess their faith in Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and yet they are like that lamp of Lauren’s...they just take up some space on a pew in the church on Sundays but they never fulfill their God-given purpose of shining the light of Jesus to those around them. Jesus did not beat around the bush, nor did He make a suggestion when He stated to His disciples, “You are the light of the world” (Mt. 5:14). Jesus was emphatic---Christ followers are the light of the world! That includes all who profess Jesus as their Savior and Lord. There are no exemptions and no exceptions.

So, will you be like Lauren’s lamp this year which is pretty much useless or will you choose to let Jesus shine brightly through you? We each have a choice to make, so let’s take advantage of each opportunity God gives us to be lights in this world...beginning in our homes, reaching into our neighborhoods, into our workplaces, and wherever we may go!