Being the Light

Every so often I get a thought that comes out of left field, this thought will not be in my  stream of consciousness, and I have come to think of these as coming from God. Maybe not the voice of God, but a thought that seems out of sync with the other random strange thoughts that can occupy my mind. I think we all have these moments, we call the epiphanies, an insight into life. I had one the other night. I was woken in the middle of my sleep to be told.

          “You are to carry my light of peace into the world.”

I don’t think this means that I am the new apostle, nor do I think this calls for my own television show or YouTube channel. There is nothing grandiose in this message. It is also a message to all of us.

          We live in a world of anxiety, inflation, environmental chaos, international conflict, and economic turmoil. Also many of us are contending with personal challenges, failing health, making financial ends meet, familial drama, and other personal struggles. We seek what we are to do as we go through life.

          The answer given to me was “You are to carry my light of peace into the world.”

Its grandness is the simplicity that this embraces. I know I risk being repetitive, but it is true. Every encounter is a call for this light to be shared. The driver that decided that he needed to be in front of me, so he passes me on the right, then cuts me off. The cashier that is having a difficult day as people are tense with how little their money can buy. The waitress for the duration of our dinner who is funny and engaging.

         Carrying this light is a responsibility. The light we are called to carry is to light the way to a different way of life. Not by exposing the faults of the other person, but by lighting the world around us so that we recognize that there is hope, that things can be different. Although in carrying this light, I am called to live my life differenty, it is not to showcase my life. Despite my best efforts, and the healing presence of the Spirit within me, my flaws can be glaring, and at times even ugly. Perhaps it is to showcase my life, that in someone with such struggles there is still some light that can be found.

          One might call this evangelism. I don’t. It is not about getting another person to change, that is none of my business. It is about living my life in gentleness, compassion, and love. It is hope that one might see me and understand that there is something that exists deeper within our world. It is a hope that in my being different that another might feel hopeful and start to carry the light as well. Together the world becomes less of a dark place.

Anyway, that is my opinion.