Choosing Lightfeatured

Life is full of choices. As a new year begins most of us think a bit about the choices we will make in the new year. This week I made the choice to unplug and store our Christmas lights.  I love the glow of Christmas lights especially during Christmas Eve services as we symbolically share the light of Christ. Our tradition of Christmas candles and lights springs right out of the gospel. 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.”  

As believers, we have the “light of life” available to us because of the choices Jesus made. He chose to step down from heaven and enter this earth as a baby. He chose to surrender to his life for us on the cross.  Jesus chose to rise from the grave, conquering the darkness of sin and death, thus giving us eternal life and light.

As recipients of this wonderful gift of life and light, we too have choices. I find it so easy pack away the seasonal lights and lose the wonder and awe of what Jesus has done for me. I get caught up in the mundane and ordinary or the never-ending parade of “yuck” that this world has to offer. I find it easy to passively drift through my days missing the multiple gifts of God’s light in each and every day.

Living in his light is not passive, it is intentional and purposeful. Jesus’ words give clear guidance on what life in God’s light requires: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). We experience his light when we daily choose to make God our top priority.

After Jesus told us that the greatest commandment was to love God with all of our being, he told us what came second: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).

As if the first commandment wasn’t difficult enough, now it’s really getting tricky! Loving a perfect God is a bit easier than loving these imperfect people all around me.  Nevertheless, God calls us to shine his light into the world by choosing to love those he brings into our lives (for a moment or a lifetime). 

Paul paints us a picture of love in 1Corinthians 13:4-8: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”  This definition is both beautiful and intimidating.  To experience love like this is absolutely beautiful.  But to love others like this is way beyond my ability. Even on my best days, my love is tainted with self-interest, pride, and well, general flakiness. My light has a tendency to flicker and fade.

We all need help to love others in such a supernatural way. The good news is that we can choose to invite the Holy Spirit to help our love light grow ever brighter. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus told us “…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  God is faithful to use our not-yet-perfected love to bring others into his light.

Choosing to receive the light of Jesus and then sharing it with others is the theme of this painting.  Light patterns radiate from the cross and begin to penetrate the darkness.  The patterns of light are not perfect, but they still bring light into the darkness. 

As I finished working, I noticed the shape of the number two sweeping across the canvas.  I didn’t plan this, but I suspect God put it there to remind me of the second greatest commandment.  I hope it reminds me (and you!) to choose to live in the light of Christ by sharing it with others.  Psalm 36:9 assures us that we are making a wise choice, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”

Let’s all choose light as we embark on the adventure of a new year!