Light the World

For you were once darkness, but now

you are light in the Lord. Live as children
of light.    Ephesians 5:8   (NIV)

Light reflects. When you strike a match in a dark room, you have enough light to walk through the darkness. A lit candle in that same dark room can provide adequate light by which to work and read. The purpose of light is to dispel darkness.

It is noteworthy that Ephesians 5:8 does not say that you were once of darkness but are now of light. It says you were once darkness but now you are light. In Matthew five, Jesus told those listening to His Sermon on the Mount, “You are the light of the world.”  

copywrite   L. Joyce Powell

Thinking about the difference between being in the light and being light reminded me that when you are in the light you are in the reflection of something or someone else. When you are the light, you are the one shining forth and others are standing in your reflection as you provide the light needed in order to see. In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  

Therefore, as a believer in and a follower of Christ, we serve a dual purpose. We walk in the light of Christ, and we are His light in this world. We shine in order to light the path that will lead others to Christ.

After thinking about this, I was compelled to ask myself if I am simply soaking in the reflection of the light of Christ today or if I am His light shining in the darkness. What about you? Is your light shining?

As children of God in Christ, it is up to you and me to go and light the world.

© Joyce Powell