Light
By Mike Rule

The recent events of September 11, 2001 in New York City and Washington, D.C. have been indescribably tragic. Many of us are experiencing a wide range of emotions that may be hard to deal with. My prayer is that God's children will see Christ more fully and that each of us will sense His presence and peace through these difficult times.

The poem (His Sovereignty - A Poem) that I sent on that Tuesday was actually written the week before, and I was compelled to send it out about an hour before I had received word of the tragedy. The poem took on a whole new meaning in light of the ensuing events of that day, and I cannot help but wonder what God is up to.

While we might recognize this as a time to evangelize and "do good" for the kingdom, it is also a time to mourn. We are to "let our light so shine before men," but we must be sensitive also. A flashlight is tremendously useful at the appropriate time. However, we all know how annoying it is to have a bright light beamed into our eyes when we are trying to deal with serious issues. Likewise, a lighthouse does not go wading into the harbor chasing ships to show them the way. Jesus said, "A city on a hill cannot be hidden!" A city on a hill is immovable. It is stable and secure! In times like these I believe this is the call to God's children: to have our eyes fixed squarely on Jesus and to stand firm on the immovable rock.

Recently Becky has shared some wonderful thoughts with me regarding light. With her permission I want to share them with you.

---- A lighthouse is stable, secure, set on a rock. People don't necessarily come to it, but are given guidance by it regarding their course.

At best, sometimes I think act like a bunch of fireflies who burn and go out, burn and go out, burn and go out. Someone may run toward the light...but it's gone. He finds it again, but it moved. He tries to catch it once more... but it left.

What did Jesus REALLY say in Matthew 5:14-16?

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."

Light of the world -- it does not say light TO the world. This reminds me of sanctifying grace. The light forms an area of refuge. It is stable, unmoving; it creates an area of safety for people to come into.

A city -- again, immovable, permanent, stable and secure. It is there when you need it and want it. One moves toward it, rather than the city and the hill chasing after darkness.

"Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house."

Why would anyone cover a burning lamp? To hide the light? To sneak around? To move from one place to another? It is DIFFICULT to keep something burning when you are walking with it. Also, if you are carrying a lamp like the ones used in Bible times (and you are walking with it), your constant focus is the lamp to make sure it remains lit. Setting a lamp on a lamp stand provides light to all because it is not moving around, there is little danger of it blowing out, and it isn't the focus. One can get on with what needs to be done because there is no need to constantly maintain and protect the light.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven."

It doesn't say, "Let your light shine ON men."

In such a way -- again, this is unmoving, gentle, stable, secure, and constant.

Notice that this is a compound sentence. It could be re-written as two separate sentences.

"Let your light shine before me in such a way that they may see your good works. Glorify your Father who is in heaven."

We are constantly seeking that others would glorify God because of our good works, but that is not what this says! It is saying YOU glorify the Father! It is not the RESULTS that glorify Him; it is the "obedient light" that glorifies Him.----

Thanks Becky. Let us continue to fix our eyes upon Jesus and let His light shine through us that He will be made visible by that light. As a result, people will be drawn to Him.