Our house is situated on a hill and during the winter months, the lack of foliage clears the way to a fabulous view of the city.  During the day its beauty is sometimes hidden by dark smoke rising from industrial areas, the dinginess of older factories, the container filled railroads and the big broken down warehouses.  Much of the ugliness of the city is hidden by the darkness of night and often overtaken by the twinkling of colorful lights all across the cityscape.  It puts a different perspective on things when there’s light – real or synthetic.

Jesus wants us to shine too.  That light is not something we can turn on and off at any time.  It’s a brilliance that can be seen all the time.  It’s the reflection of a much greater light that should bounce off of us and spread to others, bringing light to them as well.

We live in a world of darkness.  There are times when we feel helpless or hopeless and it doesn’t seem we will ever see the light again.  Sin has been with us since the Garden of Eden, but God gave us His everlasting light through His Only begotten Son.  Through Him, we can radiate like the twinkling lights that dot the city.  We can be a beacon in the darkness, helping someone find their way back to a hope filled life.  We can be a blaring searchlight or a tiny glint in the distance, but if there is even a glimmer, there’s light.

We depend on God to bring us forgiveness so let’s also rely on the fact that it’s available to the world too.  Even the darkest fears, the loneliest moments, the frightening problems and the most evil of humanity can be made bright again through the blood of Jesus.  Letting our light reflect off of Jesus just might lead someone back to Him.