On A Lampstand

He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’ He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’ He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’ With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. Mark 4:21-34

It is hard to watch gifted folks hide their light under a bushel. We humans, too often, think ourselves inadequate, less than, and fail to see the incredible light shining within each of us. And sometimes, other people try to snuff out that light because of their inferiority and anxiety. Yet our Creator, who loves us and abides with ech of us, invites us all to flourish wherever we are planted and to use what we have for the beauty, blessing and benefit of others. God's love and light is planted in all of us. May we trust our Creator, and shine, shine, shine.

Loving Creator, source of beauty and blessing

you place your light within each and everyone

imbuing us with unique gifts and amazing skills

yet in our fear and worry, we hide away our light.

Some have been beaten down by the care of the world

others have lost their voice and have lost direction

some have been pummeled by the waves of life

and others have been torn down by selfish dictators.

Yet, you, Lord have abundance and light in plenty

you will restore us, remake us and help us bear fruit

you will teach us anew how to share our flickering lights

and share your love in a very hurting and scared world. Amen.