It looks like a typo, doesn’t it? But before you mentally
swap that “Watt” for a “What,” pause for a second. This intentional twist is
more than just a pun. It’s a prompt to nudge us to think beyond just the
wordplay. You see, in the world of light bulbs, watts measure power
consumption, while lumens reveal brightness. This is a
powerful analogy for life. Sometimes we expend a lot of energy without truly
illuminating anything.
Jesus said His followers are the light of the world. But
like light bulbs, we don’t shine on our own. We need a power source. Without
it, we can burn out or grow dim. But when we are connected to Jesus, the true
power source, we can light up even the darkest places.
Jesus drives this home in the Sermon on the Mount:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill
cannot be hidden. 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. 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 5:14-16 ESV)
Notice, Jesus is not calling the disciples to hide their light
under a basket but to lift it high, boldly, and visibly, so it penetrates the
darkness and exposes man’s sin.
As bearers of His light, we don’t drive out darkness by our own strength but by Christ’s life within us (John 8:12; Gal 2:20,21). When we stay connected to His power and let our lives embody the reality of the gospel, others are drawn into truth (Eph 5:8), and God’s glory shines through every act of love that we do.
This raises our question:
How Do We
Walk in the Light?
1. Stay Connected to the
Source
Take a moment to reflect: Are we
relying on our own strength, or are we drawing daily from Jesus’s endless love
and power through prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Consider
how we are spending our time. Are we nurturing our relationship with Jesus
through worship, reading and applying His Word, and also connecting with others
who share our faith? Let us keep our hearts open and our spirits refreshed. The
world around us is dark and heavy, but His light is always there to guide us.
2. Shine Right Where You Are
Jesus taught that a lamp is
placed where it can brighten the whole room. Wherever we are, whether as a
parent, coworker, friend, or neighbor, let His light shine through us. In our
family, show Jesus’ love by leading with patience and grace. At work, strive
for excellence and encourage those around us by sharing how His strength
inspires and moves us. We don’t need to wait for the perfect moment. We can
start today, using our words, actions, and kindness to let His love shine and
bring hope to those around us.
3. Focus on Impact, Not Just
Effort
It’s not about how much energy we
pour out (watts), but how much light we share (lumens). Let our life reflect
Jesus’s love, peace, and truth in ways that touch others deeply. It’s not about
what we can do on our own; it’s about letting His power work through us. Allow
God’s grace to flow through our actions, words, and compassion, making a real
difference in the lives around us. You’re not alone in this. He’s with you,
shining through you. So go ahead and be the light that he has called us to be.
4. Remove the Basket
I have looked silly at times with
my “spiritual basket” over my head, letting distractions get in the way.
Like many of us, I’ve faced the fear of rejection. Yet, we need to overcome
this fear by staying fully charged and rooted in Jesus. Jesus was rejected, and
so will we. Here is our challenge: take
one bold step this week to let His light shine. Share your faith with a coworker, classmate,
or neighbor. Stand gracefully for what is
right and encourage someone in need. God has a plan. Seek it. Know it, and let
it consume you to shine!
5. Illuminate for God’s Glory, Not Your Own
This one hurts deeply, doesn’t
it? It’s easy to let our service become more about applause than obedience. But
we need to pause and ask ourselves: “Is our light drawing others to Jesus or us?”
True humility isn’t self-belittlement. It is a quiet confidence rooted in His grace.
Grace that reminds us we were once in darkness too, and only now shine because
of Christ within us. So, let us serve from a place of humble gratitude, not to
be noticed, but to reflect the One who gave everything for us. When we shift
the spotlight back to Jesus, our light not only becomes more radiant, but it glorifies
Him.
So, as we learn to be the light that God has called us to
be, we should ask, “ ‘Watt’ is our brightness? It’s not a question of
ability, but of our relationship and connection to Christ, the true Light. We don’t
have to strive to glow brighter by ourselves. Just stay close to the Source.
His grace will energize us all. His truth will guide us. And His love will
shine through us. Whether our light feels like a soft flicker or a radiant
beam, remember: He delights in using you just as you are. So, keep shining. Not
for applause, but for His glory. Because even the smallest light can lead someone
home. And friend, our light matters more than we know. Shine on!
Copyright 2025 James Alan Blackmon and Grace Outreach
Ministries Asia (GOMAsia). All content
on this website, including text, images, documents, and graphics, is protected
by copyright. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use is
strictly prohibited. For permission requests, please contact ablackmon@gomasia.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment