Years ago, a motel chain advertised with a motto, “We’ll leave the light on for you.” At the end of the commercial, the voice of the person who spoke this sounded friendly, inviting, welcoming, and very comforting. I liked it! In the early days of our ministry, as we traveled, Ted and I sometimes stayed at this motel chain. There were two reasons, the light was on for us and the price of the room fit our budget. A friend, who is like a daughter to us, lives up the hill from our house. Years ago when her father suddenly passed away, she looked to us for comfort. Part of that comfort was two electric candle lights we have in the windows that she can see from her home. The lights indicate that we are here for her. I make sure that those lights keep shining. We keep the light on, and she knows it is there to offer her comfort.
Throughout our home, we have placed night lights. In the darkness, these lights guide us. They reveal our path and show us obstacles that could cause us to stumble. We keep those lights on for our protection. Before leaving on a trip, I turn on a lamp in the living room that faces our road. On our return, when that light comes into view, I smile and usually say, “Home Sweet Home.” We keep that light on to welcome us home. Each evening as darkness approaches, I turn the covers of our bed down and turn on the bedside lamp. Then at bedtime, as I enter the bedroom, the light is on, a sign of the rest that awaits my body and mind.
The World is in Darkness
It seems that America and even the world is sinking deeper and deeper into darkness. We hear of lying, cheating, sexual sins, divorce, abuse, abortion, murders in our schools and on our streets, and all sorts of other crimes. Even among Christians there seem to be more problems than ever before. This dark world is in need of some bright lights that refuse to be dimmed.
Jesus, Light of the World
In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Again in John 9:5, Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” While the Light of the World was on the earth, He served, gave comfort, offered rest, welcomed sinners, healed both mind and body, prayed, glorified His father, gave love, taught, and sacrificed His life for our salvation. When his mission was finished, He went back to Heaven with His Father. Now He says, “Ye are the light of the world… Let your light so shine before men (all people), that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14,16).
Keep the Light On
As believers, we are to be a light for all to see. Now, more than ever, our lights need to shine brighter to break through the darkness that is growing all around us. We are to be lights of comfort, lights of warning and protection, lights that offer rest, lights of welcoming, lights of purity, love, and compassion, lights that point others to the Light of the World, Jesus. Keep the Light on.
“Be a Light for Jesus” by B.F. Sims
“Keep the light bright, shining all the world around,
Be a light for Jesus every day;
‘Till, released from darkness, all the Lord have found,
Be a light for Jesus every day.”
No More Darkness
Some day in the future there will be no more darkness. We will be together in Heaven with Jesus who will be the light. “And there shall be no night (darkness) there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light… for ever and ever” (Rev. 22:5). What a day that will be! While we wait for that day, let’s be careful to keep shining for Jesus. Leave your light on so that others may see Jesus shining through you.
No More Night
Written by Walt Harrah 1984
The timeless theme, Earth and Heaven will pass away it’s not a dream, God will make all things new that day Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fellEvil is banished to eternal hell
See all around, now the nations bow down to sing
The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King
Slowly the names from the book are read
I know the King, so there’s no need, no need to dread
See over there, there’s a mansion, oh, that’s prepared just for me, Where I will live with my savior eternally.
No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great, “I AM”
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.
All praises to the great, “I AM”We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.
This is written because I care… Carlene
