In the Los Angeles Coliseum some years ago, more than 100,000 spectators were present for an event honoring the city's war heroes. The master of ceremonies sad, “Perhaps you sometimes say to yourself, ‘My job isn’t important because it is such a little job!’ But you are wrong. The most obscure person can be very important. Let me show you what I mean.” Suddenly, on cue, the great transformers which provided the stadium lighting were shut down leaving the coliseum in total darkness.
Then the speaker struck a match, and in the blackness the tiny flame could be seen by all. “Now you can see the importance of one little light.,?” asked the master of ceremonies. “Suppose we all strike a light.” Instantly matches were struck all over the stadium and everyone gasped with surprise. Quickly and effectively they understood that it is within the power of each individual to “light a candle” instead of “curse the darkness.”
Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world...Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). The apostle Paul adds this admonition: “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15).
It is true our match-lighting influence can make a difference in a world darkened by sin. It is also the case that our collective lights can come together to shine a great beam of soul-saving illumination. Individually or collectively. God expects us to bum brightly where we are to make a positive difference in our sphere of influence.
Remember: “You are the light of the world!”
- via the Belvedere Beacon, the weekly bulletin of the Belvedere Church of Christ, Belvedere, SC. Ken Chumbley preaches for this congregation, and he may be contacted at their website: http://www.belvederechurchofchrist.org
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