Wednesday, February 12, 2025

“Suddenly, God, you floodlight my life; I’m blazing with glory, God’s glory!’  (Psalm 18:28, The Message Bible)             

                “Jesus bids us shine with a pure clear light, Like a little candle burning in the night.
                  In this world of darkness we must shine, You in your small corner and I in mine.”

                 According to the all-wise, all-knowing Google, this coming Saturday will the mark the Chinese celebration of the Lantern Festival. (But, hey, men, don’t forget it’s Valentines Day on Friday.) It’s the final day of the festivities for the Chinese New Year. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “The Lantern Festival aims to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.” People decorate their homes with brightly coloured and elaborately decorated lanterns. “Festival celebrations also include lion and dragon dances, parades, and fireworks.”

                Whatever its purposes and origins, I am for anything which brings more light and joy into our world. I am tired of snow, of politics, of wars, of all the negativity which surrounds us these days. I have my SAD light on as I write this but I am pretty sure it is not adequate enough by itself. I crave more light. So, I pray like the Psalmist, “Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.” (Psalm 43:3, the Living Translation)

                There is a much said and written about light, lamps and darkness, for that matter, in our scriptures. One might say that there is on-going battle between light and darkness, at least in symbolic terms.  The RSV translation of the above text is a little less flamboyant than The Message but bears repeating, “You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.” When our spirits, souls, hearts and minds are being overshadowed by gloom and doom, the Love of God shines through. “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119: 105)

                John picks up this theme, beginning in his prologue to his Gospel. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5) In fact, the word ‘light” is used over a dozen times in his Gospel. Usually, it is in reference to Jesus himself as being the Light of the world. “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” (John 8:12) Jesus is God’s brilliant lantern for us, in full display and brightness. “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” (John 12:46)

                “Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, Jesus I come, Jesus, I come. Into Thy freedom, gladness and light, Jesus, I come to Thee.” (W.T. Sleeper)

                But wait, there’s more. We are to be  lanterns, too, in this dark world. We are to  reflect the Love of God, the works and words of Jesus. We don’t just selfishly absorb the Light but reproduce the Light through our lives, actions, words and works. “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 14 -16, The Message Bible)

                The saying is that it is better to light a single candle than curse the darkness. Our times need all the light it can get.

                Lord, the light of Your love is shining
                In the midst of the darkness, shining
                Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
                Set us free by the truth You now bring us
                Shine on me, shine on me.

                As we gaze on Your kingly brightness
                So our faces display Your likeness
                Ever-changing from glory to glory
                Mirrored here, may our lives tell Your story
                Shine on me, shine on me. (G. Kendrick)

                Let us all shine indeed!

Dale