Be Where the Light Is

We may not see this much anymore, but way back when, businesses used to have those inflatable wavy arm tube guys. Some of them used to have people standing outside the business standing and swirling those signs with arrows and such drawing attention to the business.

I began to think about those examples as I listened to someone speaking about leading others to Christ. That’s the goal, right? We direct others to the only one capable of granting them salvation. We can’t personally do that. As he spoke, I was reminded of those inflatable wavy arms and those sign spinning people. They drew the attention, but the ultimate goal was directing those people elsewhere. That’s what it’s all about. The work we do walking in the light is to direct others to Christ. Each of us may have a unique way of doing that, but the ultimate goal is to lead others to Christ.

I love thinking about lighthouses when I think of this. This is the first icon I think of when pondering the meaning of being a light in darkness. Without knowing its purpose, it's easy to look at it and dismiss it as a tall obstruction in the middle of nowhere. Afterall, that’s exactly how it looks in broad daylight. Just another structure. When the darkness begins to swell, suddenly the purpose shifts. It’s not just some random structure. It’s a landmark. It’s a guide. It can steer you away from danger and just lead you on, ensuring you take the right path. Majority of the time, however, our destination is not the lighthouse itself. It serves as direction, showing us the way to go.

If you are a person of faith, then all of that sounds familiar. It’s the work that we do every day of our lives. We are not leading others astray. Instead, the lives we lead are an opportunity for others to see the light in the darkness. Leading them to an even brighter light that will never fade. Think about that. As long as we follow Christ, we will not lose our direction. If we find ourselves surrounded by darkness or in places that feel directionless, then we know that we need to devote time to looking for God. We find the things we seek.

Exchange your ashes for God’s beauty

Isaiah 61:3