A Light to Share

Read: Matthew 5:14-16; John 1:1-14

“Come on, Dad. We’re ready,” called Lina. They had all gathered for family night. It was storming outside, but in the den, they felt snug and cozy with plenty of games and popcorn.

“Coming,” Dad called from the bedroom.

Just then the power went out. “Oh no!” said Manuel. “No lights!”

“Now what do we do?” Lina asked.

“Honey,” Mom called, “bring that big candle from the bedroom, please. There are matches in the drawer there too.”

“Okay,” said Dad. “I hope I can find them in the dark—ouch! Stubbed my toe on the dresser!” A moment later they saw a glow in the bedroom as Dad lit a match, and he soon arrived in the den with the flickering candle.

“I hope the power won’t be off long,” said Manuel. He was eager to play games and munch on popcorn.

“I don’t even care. I like the room with just the candlelight,” Lina said.

Before long, they all agreed they could see well enough to play a game. “It’s amazing to see what a difference a small light makes, isn’t it?” said Mom.

Lina nodded. “When the lights first went out, the dark seemed kind of scary, but when Dad brought in the candle, it lit up the whole room.”

“A dark room may seem scary,” said Dad, “but it’s not nearly as scary as the darkness of sin. Without the light of Jesus, we’d have good reason to live in fear. But because He came into the world to save us and give us His light, we no longer have to go on stumbling in darkness.”

“Like you were in the bedroom when you stubbed your toe, Dad?” Manuel asked with a grin.

Dad chuckled. “Right. Jesus brings the light of His love into our lives, and we can share that light with others—just like I shared the light of this candle with you by bringing it in here from the bedroom.”

“So we have to let our lights shine, just like it said in the verse I learned at church last week,” Lina said. “We need to tell people about Jesus and let them know how much He loves them.”

–Robert Truesdale

How about you? Are you sharing the light of Jesus’s love with those around you? Don’t hide His light because you’re embarrassed about what others might think or say about you. When we were stumbling in the darkness of sin, Jesus came to save us even though He knew many people would reject Him. If you have His light in your life, share it with those around you. Tell others about Him and show His love in all you do.

Today's Key Verse: Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Share the light of Jesus