Light Bearer

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

As I read this morning from a long list of instructions for Light Keepers of lighthouses, I was reminded of something I have heard preached many times.  "Christians are LIGHT Keepers." 

We are responsible for allowing the LIGHT of CHRIST living within us to illuminate through the darkness and shadows of this world in order to point others to the LIGHT giver.  While many, if not all, of the tasks on the list of Light Keepers for lighthouses apply, the second one stood out to me and it reads as follows:

2. The lamps shall be kept burning bright and clear every night from sunset to sunrise; and in order that the greatest degree of light may be uniformly maintained, the wicks must be trimmed every four hours, or oftener if necessary, and clean glass chimneys fitted on; and special care must be taken to cut the tops of the wicks exactly even, to produce a flame of uniform shape, free from smoky points.

The trimming of the natural wicks can be likened to the cutting away from our heart and lives those things that are out of line with being a light bearer.  When GOD cuts away or circumcises those things that are not like HIM, HE does so perfectly and evenly in order that nothing can stand in the way of loving HIM completely. (Deuteronomy 30:6) 

In line with cutting away sin, changing the glass can be likened to the process of GOD creating in us a clean heart so there are no obstacles, smoky points, that would prevent the LIGHT from shining brightly. (Psalm 51:10)

The responsibility of being a light bearer would be daunting if not for the truth that we cannot accomplish this task without GOD given strength and HIS help through the SPIRIT.  With such help, we can bear up under the enveloping darkness of the world and soon find our flicker of light growing from a small flame to a beacon shining bright, eschewing the black of night that threatens to snuff out joy, love, peace and unity.

There is hope for the LIGHT giver lives within!