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Making a Difference

  Many years ago there was a religious show on TV which always closed with the same words ..... “if everyone lit just one little candle what a bright world this would be.”  Those words were made visible to me at a July 4th gathering which I attended in Anaheim Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.  Upon entering everyone attending received a wooden match. After the spectacular fireworks display, and before any lights were turned on in the stadium, someone on the microphone spoke.

  Out of the total darkness a voice spoke, telling us he was standing on the 50 yard line and was holding a lit candle.  He asked if we could see it.  Some said they could. I personally was not able to locate it. Then he asked all of us to light our match by scraping it on the cement floor where we were sitting and hold it out in front of us carefully. The impact was stunning. With everyone’s match lit, we could not only see the man at the 50 yard line, but we could see the faces of people throughout the packed stadium.  He closed by quoting that familiar phrase ... “if everyone lit just one little candle what a bright world this would be.”

  That was a memorable experience for me. I think of it often, but always when I hear the words of Matthew 5:14-15 ... “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.” 

  This verse reminds us that we are all “the light of the world” because we have Jesus living within us. It isn’t just the pastors or teachers or missionaries to let the light shine. It is for each and every one of us. I ran across a little poem once that goes like this ... “Moses had a staff, David had a sling, Samson had a jawbone, Rahab had a string, Mary had some ointment, Aaron had a rod, Dorcas had a needle, All were used by God.”  I don’t know who to credit for that poem, but I am forever grateful for it’s message.

  We all have been given the light of Christ, and we all have different ways of showing and sharing Christ with those around us.  And when we do, WOW!

  What a difference each of us can make in someone’s  life when we let our light shine! May God empower you to use whatever He has given you to shine brightly in a world that so desperately needs the saving light of our Lord Jesus Christ.