I recently inserted a new nightlight in one of our bathrooms which now provides a little extra illumination in our otherwise dark interior bathroom. Unbeknownst to me this particular nightlight is equipped with a sensor that increases the brightness of the light the darker the room is. How I uncovered this bit of new knowledge is the impetus for today's Flat Tire motivation.
Early in the morning, I tend to keep the rooms calm and quiet as I begin my devotional time. I don't turn on music, the TV, and only one lamp. That being said, as I walked into the bathroom the first morning after plugging in the nightlight, the hall and adjoining rooms were still dark from the night, but as I entered the room the light popped up a notch and suddenly the room got a little lighter. Hmmm, what about me entering the room initiated the nightlight getting brighter? I concluded, non-scientifically, that as I entered the room my body created additional shadows which were perceived as additional darkness in the room, thus increasing the need for additional light. Made sense to me, so that is my theory and I'm sticking to it. That in turn caused me to put that chain reaction into my thoughts of what happens when I walk into any room. Do I walk into a room full of people and add darkness to that room, or when I enter a room does the Light of God shine in me and through me to the point that it brightens the room and decreases the darkness much like the little nightlight in my home?
Jesus proclaimed that we are His Light to this world in Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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." Based on His call to action, it is our responsibility to be a light and shine brightly, diminishing darkness in any room or setting that we enter. In my nightlight analogy, my presence in the room created darkness through the shadows my body projected on the walls increasing the need for additional light. I pray that the same is not figuratively true when I enter any room or gathering I attend.
My goal is that I shed light anywhere I am. If the Light of Jesus lives in me then it should shine regardless of where I am or who I am with. In John 8:12 Jesus shared that if we follow Him we won't be able to hide our light, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Just as the children's song proclaims, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!" We make the choice to allow His light shine in and through our lives each day. I want to shine His light ever so brightly, ever diminishing the darkness that persists.
The prophet Isaiah envisioned the coming of Jesus over 700 years before His actual birth here on earth. Isaiah prophetsized, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." Isaiah 9:2. If we have received His light then we should do all we can to share it each day that He gives us to live for the rest of our lives. Trust, that there is a battle being waged between those who share His light and those who are dwelling in the dark shadows of the night. I choose to shine His light and live each day casting the light of His mercy and grace. The light of our Lord allows you to shine, I challenge you today to not cast a shadow of darkness, but to illuminate the world you live in each day.
Coach Carter
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