Light your Lamps

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”Luke 8:16-18

When we moved there was a lot of furniture to reckon with. I find myself asking, where did we get this from? Or why have we moved this so many times? Lamps are one of those things we asked these questions fairly often. We had an odd collection of lamps. Some artistic, some utilitarian and some truly ugly. Much of our furniture was handed down to us or salvaged. We liked some of these things more when we were young. Some we put up with because we couldn't afford to replace it. Our eclectic collection reminds me how unique and odd each and every one of us is - and it really doesn't matter how classy, artful, plain or utilitarian we are, as long as we are willing to light our world and help the deep darkness disappear.

Jesus uses the example of lamps to talk about faith with his disciples. They wanted an order and an outline to follow. But Jesus, understanding that each one was unique and each had their own challenges. The simple request of faith, is that we share the light we have in the vessels we have been given.

So today, with what remains of the day, I want to light the lamp and shine with whatever I have been given. Let us all give thanks for the unique life and love we have, and shine to fend off the darkness of the world and help save the lost and the wandering.