Maybe the candle wouldn’t have been regarded as a candle if it wasn’t able to hold the flame. Maybe the very essence of sight wouldn’t have become a feast for our hearts if the sight was not able to harbour the perception of distinct beauty of each and everything in this world, perception that attains perfection when light falls on it. Maybe light is the only essence of reality that cannot be consumed by darkness!
“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5: 15, 16).
The brilliance of a million stars cannot compare to the light we have in our souls, the light that has been kindled in grace by our loving Saviour, in the faith we profess to Him. We as believers have a responsibility in letting our light shine before others, so that they may see the light in us and glorify our Father in heaven! Spoken syllables, written words or deeds done are all but a different dimension to dare for the glory of God but there is something greater than what anything else could ever testify and that is the light within our souls, without which nothing said or done will find its meaning. The light, in each personal moment we choose to spend with our Lord, is that which transforms us from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor 3:18). Christianity has always been but the fight of the inner man, the uncompromising unction that keeps the lamp burning, the wilful struggle against oneself from being complacent, the faithfulness in which we deter the hypocrisy in keeping the lamp for ourselves or letting it be hidden under the bowl!
The brilliance of a million stars cannot compare to the light we have in our souls, the light that has been kindled in grace by our loving Saviour, in the faith we profess to Him.
These are the times where time tramples us at the cost of what little it could claim to offer at our disposal, the petty prejudice in which we get entangled in the hustle and bustle of life. The tough timings where people rush in a ruthless reckoning, this rat race where time has become to be the startling stranger and no more a friend! The urban life that has so drastically changed our lifestyle, calls for more time! People are in search for more time. Parents are in a battle to squeeze in time for their children. Children are wasting time doing nothing and yet having no time to study or even to go out to the playgrounds to play! Teenagers find it fearful to ‘waste’ their time to speak to their parents. Teachers are busy in their work rather than personally directing the pupils. Workaholics are obsessed with obtaining satisfaction from work alone. Shopaholics find shopping to be de-stressing in the midst of tight schedules. Alcoholism becomes to be but an easy entertainment. Fast food, fast life! Easy money, corruption, pornography, abuse, exploitations are all on the rise… resulting in loss of health, happiness, contentment or even emotional, spiritual and intellectual stability. Where did we lose it all? When did we lose it all? Why has it all become to be like this?
Just believe that your soul has the propensity to shine brighter than the stars!
Darkness has always been there in this world and will always be there until the light kindled and rekindled in God’s love keeps the everglow stronger so that all who see the light might know what it is to be unveiled from darkness, what it is to live freely and responsibly in the sunshine of His grace! We are not aliens in this world, we live in this world although we’re not of it, as it is said in the prayer that Christ makes: “I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:15-17). We too being one in this urban civilisation are meant to know that darkness can invade us, storms can rage stronger, we are not exempted from the busy schedule of life. But we could redefine our existence and so of others by being a model, by living as Christ would want us to live. We could be judicious with our time and energy. Being sanctified in the truth, being sanctified by the Word of God is the ultimate truth that could keep our lamps burning ever brighter! Spending quality time with our Lord by studying His Word and in prayer is rewarding! This walk that we have with our Saviour is very special where grace instils the values we’ve got to learn in life; truth reinforces the peace and happiness which we’ll find in nothing else. We all have but twenty four hours a day, but for us who have our light shining, not an hour or a moment will be at fray if we learn to prioritise, if we learn to seek first the Kingdom of God!
This life we live is real and these times we face are taxing than ever, but as long as we can witness Christ by our character, more than what by words or deeds, we’re but the lights that light the world, kept on the lampstand, never hidden under a bowl! And we could light others too for the glory of His name! Just believe that your soul has the propensity to shine brighter than the stars!
So let us, as Christian believers, stand to shine in the darkest hours! Let us continue to ignite this world even when we, in the pursuit, must burn out like candles! Let us together set the world ablaze! If we don’t do it, who will? If we don’t make our Lord happy, who should? Let our nation be but a city on a hill, which cannot be ever hidden (Matt 5: 14)!
