Illuminate

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.  About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

… Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.  Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.   Matthew 2:1-9 nlt

A star illuminated the night sky, leading the wise men to Jesus.  Illuminate is an interesting word to me.  The intriguing four-syllable word easily evokes mental pictures of light or brightness surrounded by shadows or darkness.  This word echoed in my mind as I arrived early to work one day.

Gazing out the window that overlooked the parking lot and offering a quick prayer before my workday started, the light posts suddenly caught my attention.  Strange, I thought.  I wonder if they are replacing that light post with this one?

The parking lot was almost empty.  Perhaps it was too early for many of the workers to have arrived yet for work.   Or maybe since it was Friday, many would be working from home.  My eyes focused once again on the light posts.  Their purpose was clearly to light the parking lot once darkness descended.  Why are the two so close together?  The pole supporting one light was gray, while the other was black.  One was much taller than the other.  But both held lights awaiting the right time to illuminate.

Looking down, I could see the slight way of the light posts as the wind blew against them.  Funny, on the ground level, I never really see them swaying.  But from up here, I can see things I would have otherwise missed.  Abba, help me see what You want me to see from Your perspective.

Still curious about the two poles so close together, I wandered over to the window and peered down to the scene below.  Of course, it made since in only a moment.  I had not considered that there were two parking lots next to each other.  One light post was turned to illuminate its area of responsibility, while the other was turned to illuminate the adjacent lot.  And of course, one pole was black to match the other lights in that lot, while the gray matched others in its own lot.

I wanted to linger at the window taking in the beauty of the trees that had been strategically planted to create a lovely landscape.  I wanted to peer into the sky and observe the ominous gray clouds that covered the expanse, a reminder that winter was soon to arrive.  But I suddenly heard the Spirit speak.  Having learned His voice draws me to places far more satisfying than where I might want to stay, I followed.

Back at my desk, He led me to consider His Bride, the church, charged with illuminating the darkness of this world.  Much like the light posts that stood so stately one next to the other, we are called to be a light in our world that is so often filled with darkness.  We may be called to stand shoulder to shoulder, closely positioned much like the light posts I was drawn to that day.  Or we may be spread farther apart.  Yet the purpose of the light within all of us is to illuminate. 

Considering what I saw that day, I realized neither light post was in competition with the other.  Neither threatened the function, purpose or success of the other.  There was no need to carve out a separate place in the world.  Neither had a need to boast of spreading light farther or greater than the other.  Each was there merely to illuminate the space where it stood.  So, too, as the bride of Christ, let us not compare or compete.  Let us not boast or brag, trying to outdo one another.   But may we seek to complement one another so that together we may shine brighter in a world that so desperately needs illumination.  Let us always remember that Jesus came to light the world.  And He said that we, too, are to light the space around us:

“You are the light of the world.  A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”   Matthew 5:14-16 niv