Light

Light

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

MY GRANDPA HANS was a car guy. For many years, he ran the service station in town and always had beautifully maintained vehicles. In photos from that era, he can be seen smiling proudly next to an old-fashioned gas pump, wearing spotless white coveralls, ready for business.

In many ways, my grandparents were opposites. Grandma Jo was the youngest daughter of well-established farmers and left home to pursue degrees in music and Norse, graduating from college in 1939. My grandpa, on the other hand, left school after eighth grade to help provide for his siblings after his father died unexpectedly in an accident. Both of them were hardworking, but my grandpa was more practical in nature.

Despite their differences, they got along well. Both of them had a good sense of humor, and Grandpa loved to tease Grandma. One time when they were driving together in town in one of his beautiful cars, they had a small disagreement about something. But instead of overlooking it or resolving it quietly, he decided to take a different approach. As they drove down the street of their small town, he turned a spotlight in the car directly on her so that everyone could see her pouting. It was impossible to miss.

Years later, they told that story with smiles on their faces; she hadn’t stayed angry for long. Imagine if we had a spotlight shone on our features: What would it reveal about us? Would we look angry, exhausted, worried? Or would we appear to be joyful, gracious, hopeful? As Christians, we are lit from within. The light is not derived from an outside source; it lives within us. Because of this, the love of Christ should radiate from us, spotlighting the grace and mercy we’ve received and are able to demonstrate through the example of our own lives. Like a spotlight that highlights and reveals the best and worst parts of ourselves, the light within us can’t be hidden and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Lord, may the light of your love shine in and through us. Help us to reflect your glory to those around us. Amen.

-Kristin

One Good Step: If a spotlight was placed on you, what would it reveal?