ANNOYING LIGHT

A few nights ago our power went out for several hours. I lit several candles around the room, and picked up a good book to read--something you can still do when the power goes out!

But the candle right next to me was flickering wildly. I could hardly read my book because it was so distracting.

And then I noticed another candle lit across the room. It too gave off light, but the flame was still. Eventually I put the flickering candle across the room and put the steady light beside me to read.

As believers, we are the light of the world, and we are called to let our light shine. There are some, though, who believe that if their light isn't flickering wildly, they aren't doing it right. I'm talking about believers who feel it's appropriate to be terribly "in your face," often being known for declaring all we're against rather than sharing the One we're for. There's a place for standing up against injustice, absolutely--and a time to protest; Christ Himself spoke out against injustice. I just have trouble with people trying to shame or scare people into the Kingdom of God. And frankly, it's annoying to a watching world. I think that often these "flickering" types of believers are more concerned with drawing attention to what they're doing for God than actually pointing others toward Him.

Others, though, shine their light in a way that is steady and constant--being the same person no matter the circumstance, proving over time their consistency in faith and integrity. They know that the Holy Spirit can draw hearts to Himself without a bunch of obnoxious and often repellent antics on our part. They simply shine the light of Jesus in their coming and going, in loving actions and gentle words of truth.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.

Matthew 5:16