As I walked home from a course earlier in the summer I was surprised to notice the street lights weren’t on yet. It was 9:45pm!! I was going along the main road that I live on and as I passed each street light I noticed it flickered on. It made me smile, as though I was somehow causing the street lights to jump into action. I knew it was the sensor on top of each lamp post, but still…I liked to think somehow my presence illuminated that little bit of street.
It got me thinking…as a follower of Jesus I have the ability to be ‘light’ in each situation I am in. That doesn’t mean I’m some incredible oracle who knows everything. It also doesn’t mean I have to be the life and soul of every gathering I am part of, but when we ask Jesus to be in charge of our life we are asking him to come and live inside of us and Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12)!! If I am genuinely bringing Jesus into my everyday life then how am I allowing the light of Jesus to shine through?
When I go shopping do I keep my head down and plough through the list as quickly as possible avoiding eye contact with everyone around me or do I look up and smile at those around me, for some of those people you may be the only smile they see all day! When I’m with my kids and we see something that makes them ask questions, like a homeless man sitting begging, do I briskly brush off the conversation and walk away or do I engage with the questions and explain that not everyone has the same opportunities as we do and some people don’t have all that we have, maybe we should buy them a sandwich and a cup of tea. At the end of the day when I’ve been busy all day and so has my husband do I get grumpy with him because I’ve used up all my patience during the day, or do I explain how I’m feeling and ask how he is feeling and talk together, or even pray together!!
In every situation I find myself in I can choose how I respond. Do I allow my human nature to guide my response bringing darkness, confusion and maybe even pain. Or do I allow my inner light to shine and invite Jesus into every situation bringing hope, light and love?