Burn Brighter
As I walk through the forest, certain sounds stand out. The scurrying through the fallen leaves is usually a chipmunk, but on occasion, a squirrel. As I get closer to a stream, the cascading water creates a distinct rumble. More often than I like, I hear the buzz of nearby insects. At times, the trees creak in the gusty winds. But to me, the most noticeable sound is the rapid pecks that create a drumming rhythm. The intermittent bursts of pecking are unmistakable, and once heard, looking toward the source always reveals the same thing: a woodpecker. As followers of Jesus Christ, are we, like the woodpecker, distinctly known by our actions?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His disciples:
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).
So let us be a lamp that lights the world. First, however, let us consider the essential parts of a lamp. In Jesus' day, a lamp required four components: a container, oil, a wick, and a flame. Likewise, before we can be a light to the world, we need each of these elements in our lives.
We need a container. While the oil and wick provide the source of light, they require something to hold them together. Without a vessel, the oil and wick cannot function. In our lives, our bodies serve as the container. We do good with our bodies and, specifically, through our actions. Thinking about good deeds accomplishes little. Doing good deeds makes a difference.
Next, our container needs oil, the fuel that sustains the flame. Without fuel, there is no fire, and without fire, there is no light. Jesus provides exactly what we need through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who gives us direct access to God. The Spirit fuels our good deeds, and through His empowerment, our actions reveal God's kindness. While acts of kindness are always welcome, even from non-believers, the Spirit-inspired deeds of Christians are infused with God's presence for both the giver and the recipient. Good actions are beneficial, but the Spirit enables believers to shine God's light into the world.
We also need a wick, something that transforms stored oil into a steady and useful flame. Without a wick, the oil would burn intensely but not effectively. The wick channels the oil's power into a light that serves others. For us, our minds function as the wick. Our thoughts and intentions direct the Spirit's power into actions that illuminate the world around us. Good deeds rarely happen by accident. To be a light, we must be intentional in how we live.
So far, we have a body, the Spirit's fuel, and a mind: the container, oil, and wick. Yet one element remains: fire. Someone must light the lamp. Who can do that? We know the answer. We need a relationship with Jesus Christ. Only through Him can we burn brightly for the world to see. If we truly desire to do good, and I hope we do, what aspect of your lamp is dimming your light? And what can you do today to burn brighter?
