Sharing Light

“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 organizations are working on change and growth, people often want to share their thoughts and ideas. It can be a wonderful time of creative solutions and team work. It can also be a time when people need and want to vent and complain without presenting any solutions. They like the way it used to be, they like whatever made them comfortable even if it was destructive and unwelcoming to others. Sharing solutions means shedding light on the good and the bad alike and seeing things as they really are.

Jesus continues using common objects as illustrations for his conversations on faith. He talks about faith as something that needs sharing like the light of a lamp. We do not hide a lamp but rather put it in a prominent place and share it with others. The love of God that we have received is not something we can hoard but it must be shared to multiply and grow. To be faithful Christians we must make room in the light for others and we must welcome strangers and those different from us into the light. God invites us to be people who share rather than hoard, people who create solutions, and people who welcome difference and change as the movement of God's spirit.

Today, I ask God to help me be patient with those who resist change and help me God's share light and love with all. May we never shy away from the challenges ahead but rather move boldly, sharing all the gifts, so that God's love might be a beacon for all.