Be the light

A few months ago, I finished another poem about being in the light.  This is something that has really been on my heart for the last couple of years, and I think that especially in 2020, it is a good reminder for everyone. 

Light that will take out the darkness
Light that will show the way to the one that has come before
Light that will hide away shame, guilt, and fear
Light that will showcase the promises, spirit, and fruit

To be the light one has to be willing to
Be piercing at times to scare away the darkness
So bright that it is blinding in the eyes
Scaring away the darkness from the brightness

To be the light one has to be willing to
Work in areas where there isn’t light
Light in areas where it is dark, cold, and scary
Places where light is essential yet rare and hardly found

To be the light one has to be willing to
let others shine like a nightlight or a lamp, avoiding a spotlight
Light doesn’t have to be the brightest in the room
But can be willing to shine alongside others

To be the light one has to be willing
to be available; at all times, even when it is hard
When it should be easier to fall into the darkness
When you are in a dark spot, you have the ability to shine brighter

To be the light one has to be willing
to be plugged in to the right source
Like a nightlight in the wall
Not depending on your own source, but rather God’s source

I think it is also very important to remember to be available when one is a light.  Like we can turn on the light in our house, or out in the dark with a flashlight, we need to be available, so a person can see where they are, where they need to go, and provide peace. Otherwise there are going to be a lot of people that will need the light and won’t have it.  There is such a scary feeling when you are stuck in the dark and there isn’t any light around.  The lights are essential for making a person feel safe and to get where they need to go.  

One of the hardest parts about being the light is when it has to be piercing in the darkness.  Being piercing can be hard because you will obviously be seen from a long ways away which means that you will stand out.  People will definitely see you, even if that is not something that you usually enjoy.  Just like there can be times when a person finds that the light hurts their eyes in the darkness, there is also a pain that can come from a person’s light source that calls out sins, injustice, or a problem.  We don’t always want to acknowledge that those things are there, but they are there and only hindering people. Injustice is not something that people want to talk about and something that people find uncomfortable, but it is also something that needs to be seen and heard.  People may want to turn off your light, but it is important that you still continue to shine bright.  

The part that was the best part for me to write was the last stanza.  I sometimes easily forget that I am not the source of my own light.  God is the one who keeps my light going.  He is basically my battery or my plug-in.  I think that there can be times when I feel I need to be my own source, but that isn’t what is required of me.  If I only look to my own source, then I will often get very discouraged and broken down.  I need God’s source of light in order to get anything done.  When life feels heavy, that is also where we need to remember to plug in for some extra time with Jesus.  This is where a recharge is needed.  This may require taking some time by ourselves with God, but this will only help us shine brighter.  

Right now, there is a lot going on in the world.  The United States where I live is experiencing similar things to many others in the world.  There was social distancing throughout COVID-19 and now there are riots and protests for justice of the many black lives that were lost through police brutality.  Obviously, there are a lot of differing views and different ways that people are coping with this, but regardless of where you stand, you can still be a light.  This is through listening to your neighbor and their struggles, even if you don’t understand it.  This can be through making sure to say prayers for the ones that are struggling and hurting.  This can be through reaching out to friends and family and seeing if you can do anything for them.  There are many ways to be the light of the world.  Also, just like Jesus, you should be a light to those who are different than you and who have differing opinions to you.  A light shouldn’t choose who it shines for.  A light when running properly shines for everybody, at all times.