I know that I have written on this topic before. I am repeating myself because I am the one who needs frequent reminders. Being God's Light is a theme that has come in up in recent meditations by Richard Rohr.1 Today’s statement that penetrated to my heart was,
And if we think of our homes as the place where our light shines, we are more likely to be patient with the children or with those whose minds have reverted to childhood; we are more likely to find that light within ourselves as we go through the day.2
My first thought turned to friends who are dealing with spouses with dementia. I admire their model of faithfulness to Jesus that is revealed in their faithfulness to their spouses. Their witness challenges me – I have a healthy wife – to be salt and light in all my contexts: wife and extended family down to my wonderful grand-children, friends, colleagues, and simply those whom I encounter in daily activities. (I don’t know which context is harder for me: the company of closest family or passing strangers?)
The Christmas season is about how Light came into the world and how that Light remains and is meant to shine in and through those who call on Jesus (John 1:1-9). When someone is trapped in darkness, they will – unless considerably hardened of heart – be drawn to light. Light penetrates the chaos of darkness. Light encourages people to move forward. Light shows people where to step. Light promises a better life. God’s Light is Life.
The question, then, that I face daily is: Does my life offer this Light to others?
Lord, keep me close to you so that your Light might shine in and through
me. I do not want to contribute to the
darkness in this world. I want to be
part of the Light. Amen.
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1. Richard Rohr's Daily
Meditations (on line).
2. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/being-a-light-for-others/
Thank you, Rodney
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