LIGHT

Now I have heard about you that a spirit of the gods is in you, 
and that illumination, insight and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you.
 Daniel 5:14

        Within the sweetest children’s tune, the most profound practical application of holy living for Christians can be  found.  Take the familiar lyrics “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine….let it shine, let it shine,  let it shine.”  We grow to understand that the light within our souls is the very company of the Holy Spirit, the stamp of our salvation; and we, as Christians, have an inherent duty to proclaim and testify to that holy presence.  
           
         Light has several interesting properties. First, light is a wave.  The root of the Hebrew word for illumination as used in the passage from Daniel means “to shine, beam, be radiant, light, burn, flow, and stream.”1  I picture Jesus as the “Light of the world” beaming upon me, His very love penetrating and streaming into every aspect of who I am. His love and light flows into me, while in turn it flows outward toward others.
           
         Second, not only does light flow, light also reflects off of surfaces (think of a mirror or a still lake reflecting the sun’s rays).  As children created in God’s image, we are to be a reflection of Him. We are the willing receptacles that embrace this light and cannot help but reflect this light back toward others.

         Third, light is fast acting.  God’s Word is described as a “Lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa. 119:105).  Though we were people who walked in darkness, when the Light flashed and we were enlightened, in a split second our lives were changed, and though once blind, we could instantly see.
        
         Fourth, God’s Word (this Lamp and Light) is “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and  intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12).   This is fiber optics at its best—where a focused beam of light can be  bent inside a receptacle without losing its power. God’s light has a job to do—this job is precise and fixed.  It transforms us and helps conform us.  
          
         Finally, light interferes. When two beams of light strike each other, they can converge and become  stronger and brighter and enhance one another. Practically speaking, this is what happens to us as we meet daily with our Lord and feast on His Word. 
We have the propensity to disperse a brighter beam each day as a result of having spent time with the Lord.  May we be encouraged today knowing that “You, O Lord, keep my lamp  burning” (Psa. 18: 28,NIV).  Let it shine  today.



NOTE

 Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for nahar (Strong's 5102)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 8 Nov 2012. < http://
www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H5102&t=KJV  >