Little Lights in the Darkness
Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.” ~ JOHN 12:35 (RSV)
One night I woke up with a cramp in my leg (we call it a charley horse). I needed to walk it off, but I hoped I could be quiet enough not to wake up my husband. I stumbled out of bed, not able to put full weight on my leg.
My digital alarm clock gave off a tiny little red light, just enough for me to see my sweatshirt (I wanted to go to the family room, and it was cold out there). It was pitch dark in our rancher — one of those especially dark nights. As I limped past the hallway bathroom door, a tiny green light in the grounded outlet reflected just enough for me to get my bearings. Then I encountered the white lights on the cable modem in the office, flickering just enough for me to see my way. The microwave’s little green digital clock light helped me avoid smacking into the kitchen island counter, and the red “0” messages on the kitchen phone led me to the family room. The white digital clock on the TV’s cable box let me know the end wall was close. Using those little lights in the darkness, I could see my way to walk laps around the family room and kitchen island to walk off the cramp. How thankful I was for those little lights! Each one gave me just enough light to see my way.
Sometimes we may not see a big light in our lives, but we do see lots of little ones. We may not get a big inspiration, but we may get little ones. Sometimes God shines His light not in drastic solar flares, but in tiny flickering lights on a cable modem. Are we paying attention to the small ways God tries to get our attention?
Similarly, Jesus told His disciples, “You are the light of the world ... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Are we letting our light shine? Are we satisfied to be little lights for God instead of worrying that we can’t be a big enough light? Little lights can make a difference in a dark world!
Jesus Himself is the big Light, and following Him means we can walk in the Light and shine in the darkness for others. In John 8:12, He says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Lord, thank you for being the Light of our lives. In turn, may our little lights shine to help others find their way.
CLAUDIA CUDDY, TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Happy 93rd birthday, Mom!