Light. It’s a word that has become part of my daily vocabulary since starting the race. “Be the light.’ Walking in the light. Let your light shine. He is light. ect.” Light is defined as “the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible” But to me, light has such a deeper meaning.
Light is infectious. Light exudes joy. It seeps into every crack and crevice. With light, you can truly see. It floods in and takes over. Light is always visible and shines brighter in the darkness. Light is hard to cover up and block out. Light is beautiful. Light provides life. Light makes things grow. Light warms the soul.
I possess the light of life. The light of redemption. It’s this little light of mine that was given to me by the Creator. Each day that I walk closer to Him, it shines brighter. When you possess the light, you can’t help but share it with others. It’s innate to want others to possess it as well. To walk in the light with you. To know how the light of the Father can change their life.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.” Ephesians 5:13
People and the world are going to try to stifle and blow out your light. The enemy is always finding ways to stop your light from shining; to let the darkness seep in again. I’ve experienced this first hand many times on this race but here in Vietnam is like nothing I have experienced before. Here there is more darkness than light. The light is stifled by the government, by rules, by corruption and by sin. The people here can’t openly shine their light without fear of brutality or retaliation. I cannot share my light with others without fear and risk. Living in this country I have allowed those things to stifle my light. I allowed the world around me, the darkness, the sorrow here to affect my light. Walking the streets of this city, you can feel the darkness, the heaviness and the hurt of the people. If you don’t arm yourself with the light, it will affect you.
“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:12
But as a believer you must take the risk of shining your light into that darkness. All it takes is one brave soul that is willing to shine their light here for things to start moving and changing. We have an amazing opportunity to shine our light into the darkest of places this month. To shine our light to the waitresses at the coffee shop. To the people working in the street markets. To the children playing in the alley. To the prostitutes on the corners. To the men gambling and drinking in the bars. To the store owners and hostel owners. To the travelers staying in our hostel. All we have to do is remind ourselves that we are children of the light. We were born again into the light and it can’t be taken away from us. We are called to let it shine because it is not ours to keep hidden.
So I’m going to do as the song says “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!”
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2
“For this what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:47
“In the same way, let your light shine before others that they my see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
