Thursday, March 24, 2016
Hidden and often overlooked in an Old Testament prophecy about the earth’s end times, we find this illuminating verse: “ Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”(Romans 12:3) Here is another biblical reminder of how necessary, vital, and desired light really is to mankind. Think for a moment of stretches of days from time to time throughout the year when the sun fails to make an appearance. If you are like most people, you long for the sun to make it’s return and rejoice on the day when it finally breaks through the clouds. Almost immediately, your day becomes happier and much more positive. Dark and dreary days, on the other hand, tend to make people feel grouchy, cynical, and pessimistic. No wonder Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, told His listeners to let their lights shine before men. Not only does that bring glory to God, it brightens the day of those around them.
Besides brightening others’ lives, the light we emit can be life changing, even save lives. I’ll never forget the family vacation we took to Florida in November of 2014. The Lord sent me two lights that saved my life on the highway that night, as well as the lives of those who were in the car with me. I had not planned to do much driving on that trip, especially at night because I don’t see very well in the dark. Even when I was young I had a hard time driving at night. Well, that evening I found myself driving at night while the others slept, and as soon as we passed the outskirts of Houston, there was practically no light on the highway, or at least in seemed that way. It was around 1 AM, and driving in the darkness I thought, “what am I going to do now?” In an instant, I spotted the lights of a car closing in behind us. Its as if the Lord told me then: “As soon as that car passes you, stay as close to it as you can.” I did just that, and though it was going faster than I would have wanted, it tailed it for about two hours. That car provided all the light that I needed. Then, when we got to a highway junction around Luling, it took a turn towards Austin. Again, I thought, “what am I going to do now?” Almost immediately, the moon broke through and the clouds disappeared. Now the sky was clear and the moon was positioned directly above the highway. It provided all the light that we needed to arrive safely into San Antonio between 4 and 5 in the morning. I cannot describe to you how grateful I felt when we drove into our driveway.
Although I was aware that it was the Lord who provided that needed light, He used an unsuspecting motorist as well as the moon and stars to guide us home that night. In the same manner, God’s children don’t always realize that the light of Christ in their lives has given direction to many who are lost, even saved lives. Keep on Shining!
Memory verse for the week: (Psalm 16:8) “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”
