What do you think it means to be a light? To be kind when someone is rude? To tip graciously? To thank your difficult boss for a lousy and thoroughly unwarranted performance review? It's not easy to be a light. In fact, to be a light --to really shine, you must be standing in darkness. Think about that. We light candles when the power goes out, right? When there is no other light to be had. I mean, we might light a fragrant candle during our quiet time or after we've made breakfast, but for a single candle to shed light, the place we're in has to be dark. The purpose of a lighthouse is to ensure ships will see the peril at hand and will turn from danger. To do so, however, the structure itself must stand in the blackness, amidst the rocks, and battered by storms.
In Matthew 5, Jesus tells His disciples:
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
This world is the place we are to be a light. In our churches, sure. Among our families, absolutely. But in the places where it is dark we should shine more brightly. In Jeremiah 29, God through His prophet tells the people of Judah, God's people, who had been carried away to Babylon:
Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.
Despite living in an unfamiliar land, away from homes they built, farms they worked, and family they loved, despite living under the rule of strangers known for their cruelty, amidst heathens and their worship, despite being without the temple in which the presence of God dwelled, they were to make a life for themselves there. Not because all hope was lost, not because God wanted His people to assimilate to heathen ways, but because they were tasked with the privilege of being light to a darkened world. By flourishing in the land, they would be increased. Rather than slowly disappearing into the culture of Babylon, Babylon would begin to look more like God's land. And wherever God is, peace abounds. Rather than plotting overthrow or rebelling against authorities, God's people were to pray for the hearts of their new neighbors, pray for the yield of the land and the peace of this country. They were to pray for the leadership, that they would make wise decisions, decisions that would benefit the people. Rather than stirring things up and focusing on all that was wrong with their situation, they were to be light. Light in a dark place.
Now, I can get onboard with that if I don't fully consider the darkness in which God had allowed them to be placed. I can imagine moving into a new neighborhood where everyone sort of looked like me or were on a level playing field financially. I can picture myself inviting friendly housewives over for coffee and introducing thirsty seekers to the Bible. But think of your youngest child or grandchild going to school in one of the roughest schools in the nation; think of your spouse heading to work in one of the toughest prisons; envision living in a town that supports everything you don't and hates the God you worship; your housewarming invitations litter the ground, and they've set your garage on fire. With your pets inside. Sound far-fetched? I hope it is. But this is cruelty. This is hatred. This is rebellion. This is deception. This is darkness. And we are called to be light IN it. Not to it from the next room. Not over it by forcing our views on others. IN it. Living with and loving on those in the places God has sent us. Standing among the storms with them and pointing them toward salvation in the Light, Jesus Christ.
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