Last night I went out after dark to take inventory of our path lights. We live on the edge of a wash so it’s important that things are well lit. We don’t want anyone getting too close to the edge.
I told Dave that we have four lights which need to be replaced. He said he would check them because sometimes they just need to have the sensors wiped clean and they’ll be ok.
When he said that I was reminded of my collection of oil lamps that I used on a regular basis. They weren’t just for decoration; they provided much needed light when we lost power. I cleaned the chimneys of those lamps regularly, so they were always ready to give light to the room.
It made me think – do I need to have my sensors wiped or my chimney cleaned?
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-15 ESV
Grumbling, murmuring, complaining, criticizing, fault finding and finger pointing will mess up our sensors and muck up our chimneys. Our light will be diminished, instead of protecting others from getting too close to the edge of danger.
Gratitude, thankfulness, appreciation, kindness, compassion and constructive instruction light the way for others to give glory to our heavenly Father.
“God once said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness!’Â And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ. 7Â We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 ERV
God has placed His treasure of light in us. Take inventory. If necessary, wipe off the sensors or clean the chimneys.
He wants us to shine brightly with His love.