Keep the Light On

Read: Psalm 119:102-105

Jalen finished his Bible reading, then checked off the corresponding reference on his sheet. “There!” he said. “I’m all done with this week’s youth group challenge. We had to read a different passage from the Bible every day this week.”

“That’s great,” said Mom. “It’s always good when others encourage you to read the Bible every day. Now it will be easier for you to keep doing it on your own.”

“Oh, I’m not planning to do that,” Jalen said.

Mom raised her eyebrows. “You’re not?”

Jalen shook his head. “I just did it to complete the challenge. I go to church and youth group every week, and we read and talk about the Bible there. I feel like that’s enough.”

That evening, as Mom walked past Jalen’s room, she reached in and turned off the light.

“Hey, Mom!” Jalen called out. “I’m in here!”

“I know,” Mom said, returning to his door. “But you had the light on quite a while, so I figured you’d had enough and it was time to turn it off.”

Jalen gave his mom a curious look as he reached for the switch. “But it’s way too dark with the light off. I’m working on my science project, and I need the light on so I can put my solar system model together.”

“But couldn’t you do that with the light off?” Mom asked. “I mean, you know the rough size of each planet, right? Can’t you just feel around for them?”

Jalen stared at her. “Well, I guess I could, but it wouldn’t turn out well!”

Mom smiled. “It’d be a lot easier to do with the light on, wouldn’t it?”

“Yeah!”

“Well, God refers to His Word—the Bible—as light,” Mom said. “It shows us how much we need Jesus to save us and helps us see the path we’re walking with Him more clearly. Even though you get that light in church and youth group, it’s also good to spend time in God’s Word on your own. I think that’s why your youth group did that challenge in the first place—to help you get in the habit of shining God’s light on your life every day.”

After a moment’s pause, Jalen nodded. “I guess that’s a light we always need to have on.”

–Deborah S. Marett

How about you? Do you spend time in God’s Word every day? It’s great to read and talk about the Bible with others at church, but it’s important to read it on your own too. That will help you learn more about Jesus and shine His light on your life every day. Get in the habit of taking a few minutes to read His Word each day, and ask God to use that time to speak to your heart.

Today’s key verse: The teaching of your word gives light. Psalm 119:130 (NLT)

Today’s key thought: Read God’s Word every day