A Sight for Sore Eyes
The passage I highlighted from today’s reading of the Psalms comes from Psalm 119:
Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
Because I have hoped in Your word. (Psalm 119:73–74)
I immediately pictured a lantern glowing in a dark place — something well crafted and enduring, that gives light and relief and joy to anyone who sees it. It can be dark and gloomy or even warm and bright, but the lantern shines on and maintains its glowing, inviting light. It’s also a far better thing to see after a long while of darkness.
I want to be and continue to be that light to other people. Like a good lantern, I am also built well and fashioned by a master craftsman. I can also ask for and seek understanding by learning and practicing God’s commands. Not for my own purposes but for my own joy and the joy of everyone else.
I want to be the kind of person who lights up a room because of the I (hopefully) have in God’s word. I want to be such a source of light and peace inside that it reflects outwardly, because of Who is inside of me. Not my own personality or behavior, but hope in God’s words shining like well-lit lantern.
Light and peace are already inside of me. I can already let those things shine and dwell on those things. I can be thankful for the excellence in my life that I have not earned and do not have to strive for. This season has been strange and frustrating; be a sight for sore eyes — be a lantern to your family and your friends, wherever you are sitting or however far away you may or may not be. Be a source that mirrors the hope and light that we have been given.
We didn’t earn this light, but we can shine with bright, loving, confident, optimistic, courageous radiance. Also, Jesus says so! Let your light shine in your home, your workplace, your church, and everywhere else, to everyone else.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16)
