Beam

“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 


The sun had been asleep for some time as my platoon sergeant made his way around the area to check on his Soldiers: "alright men, it's time to line up"  directing as he passed.  I was barely 19 years old at the time and a mere one hundred and thirty pounds….soaking wet!  I remember thinking: "I am in way over my head with this Army stuff."  I positioned my heavy ruck sack on my back and took my place among the other members of my rifle platoon. Moments later, a tap on the shoulder signaled our cue to move out and we made our way through the heavy vegetation.  It was close to midnight and we were conducting a training maneuver called a night withdraw. That's Army lingo for a very long walk in the middle of the night. We were embarking on a three hour walk on foot in complete darkness; No flashlights, no night vision goggles, just us and Mother Nature. As I started off, my ruck sack managed to grab a hold of every branch it could find, twisting and pulling me in every direction but forward it seemed. We proceeded slowly in order to keep on course. It was a strange feeling to be walking in total darkness- as if someone threw a blanket over my head.  But as time went by, the blackness gave way to darker shades of gray and I was able to make out shapes of trees and buildings off in the distance. As we lumbered on, I looked up to see a black sky speckled with billions of stars. I suddenly realized that those stars were giving off enough light to allow me to steer clear of hazards. We continued on, and my eyes continued to adjust.  The dark grayish trees shapes stood out against the darker black curtain of the night sky.   When I looked down, I could actually see shadows on the ground-courtesy of a half covered moon.  I CAN ACTUALLY SEE!  Those billions of stars working together made all the difference in the world. Billions of small beacons combining their power, gave us sight-guiding us safely to our destination.  Those stars served a good purpose that evening in Joliet.  


That’s the thing about light, whether it’s one tiny lone beacon or an assemblage of a billion tiny beacons, each casts out a glow.   A young child wanders a short distance off from the family campsite to explore his surroundings and before he realizes it, the evening has turned as dark as the inside of a cave.  He uses his small flashlight to find his way, shining it down on the ground as he walks.  The small beam of light is too weak to casts  a highlight on the tent just a few hundred feet away. As its beam fades away into the darkness the boy continues to search.   But the boy’s light is serving another purpose as well; his tiny beacon of light is attracting  a watchful father right in upon the lost boy.


When you walk into your home after a late evening, the warm light from inside your home is there to welcome you home.  Have you ever had to walk through your house in the dark after coming home late in the evening in order to turn lights on. Making your way down the dark hallway, you flip the light switch and suddenly the room warms instantly.  You feel a sense of comfort.   Light gives things shape; color.  It brings things to life.  Anyone who has ever watched a sunrise knows that as the sun crests the horizon, it transforms a monochromatic early morning landscape into a warm, vibrant panorama. 


If we do good works, we become like one of those tiny sparkling stars that helped light my path in the middle of the night many years ago.  Imagine the possibilities if we were a community doing good works.  Suddenly, we are like those billions of stars fill the night sky- lighting the path for the most distraught traveler.  I don’t think its just enough to go to church each Sunday.  Actions speak louder than words.  Jesus wants us to get out their and walk the walk.  What have we really done to shine our light?  


Not sure where to start?  It doesn’t matter how big or small you start.  What matters is that you start.  Remember that boy who was lost in the woods?  That’s YOU.  Taking that small step may only get your light to shine a little distance, but remember who is going to see that light?  Remember who is coming to find you, take you by the hand and turn that that small beam into a wide shaft of light for everyone to see?  God!