Sustenance for The Spirit
Sometimes I hear a word or phrase repeated several times in different contexts over a short period of time. It’s either the Spirit nudging me or it may relate to current events, happenings in the world, causing minds to travel in the same path to some degree. Either way, I figure I should pay attention. Lately, what repeatedly has caught my attention, are variations of Matthew 5:14–16, “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.” So, my question is, what does it mean to “shine your light”? I know all the usual responses that are forming in your head, so let’s just skip past that part, and ask again, what does it really mean to “shine the light”? I’m attempting to make the point that although we may think our light is shining, I think we have to admit that sometimes, the light being shined is pretty dull, shining on the wrong thing or more of a quick flash matchstick kind of light. It’s so easy to say, “it’s all fine” and make ourselves comfortable again. Maybe we need to recognize that where life is actually lived could deserve Jack Nicholson’s famous line in the movie A Few Good Men, “You can’t handle the truth!” Depending on our circumstances we may not really want the truth. It’s so much more pleasant to pluck out the nice scriptures and say things like, “Jesus loves you”, and return to our personal place with the thought that we shined our light the best we could. I know I’m being a bit harsh, and believe me I’m writing this to myself first and foremost, but I sometimes feel over-blessed and under-aware. I’m truly grateful for the many material and spiritual blessings I’ve been able to experience in my life, but I’ve become mindful that it is somewhat of a handicap, especially as it relates to light shining. I honestly don’t know how to do it. I’m realizing that authentic light shining may look different and be harder than I thought. I’m going to keep trying, and I do feel like I’m much more aware of real need than I used to be. I have hope that this awareness takes me closer to authentic light shining. It may be I need to pray with more people, pray for more people, share scripture in a more thoughtful way, provide food, clothing or shelter by volunteering somewhere, and maybe just extend some hospitality. I’m not sure where all this is going in my life, but I feel a little better about the trajectory. Thomas Merton said, “To be a saint is to be yourself.” Maybe I start with finding the authentic, real light within myself, and depend on the Spirit to guide me with the shining part. I encourage you to find your authentic light and seek to share it wherever and however it’s needed. Join me today in some light shining!
