All of us have a gift that the world desparately needs. It is that piece of Divinity within us that leads us to reach out to those who are suffering or afflicted in some way and help.  We see a need and we desire to fill it. We see the hands that hang down and we desire to lift them up. Where there is hopelessness, we desire to shine the light of hope restored.  One of my all time favorite hymns is a hymn entitled "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy". The words are so touching and relevant to our situation in the world today:

 

 

 

 

 

There is a very poignant message in these words for all of us. Many times, those who are tossed about in the tempest of life's waves cannot clearly see the mercy of God beaming from his lighthouse. Sometimes the fog is so thick where they are and their situation so dire that they do not even believe that God will help them if they ask Him. Sometimes they think what they have done to get themselves into this situation is something that God could never forgive.  In these situations, many times they need a "lower light" to draw them to shore before they can appreciate the greater light and know just how much they are really loved.  When we let God work through us, we can be those "lower lights" to others who find themselves "tempest tossed".  The light that He puts in our lives becomes a testimony to those who observe it of the reality of God's reality, love, and mercy. This is the admonition the Lord gave us in Matthew 5:16 -->

 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

 

There is an important formula revealed here. We are to let our light so shine before men (i.e. mankind), that others may see the light, come unto God, and give glory to Him. Ours is an ancillary role. We are to draw people to God by letting our "lower light" lead them to the light of our Father's mercy, which as the hymn mentions, "brightly beams...from his lighthouse evermore".  God is the one who places that light within us and leads us to the actions which will be the most beneficial to the world. We listen to the guidance of his Spirit and are thereby enabled to be first hand witnesses and participants with Him of his work and his glory: "...to Bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1: 39).

 

And what a tremendous need this world has for light! There is so much darkness out there. So many places where people get confused along the way, lose their bearings spiritually, and fall into a state of hoplessness. I have seen this first hand in the lives of people to whom I have ministered in my church callings and responsibilities. I have felt some of this in my own life before I came to know God better, repent, and accept his son Jesus Christ as my Savior. There are many spiritual potholes and crevasses in this world that people can fall into. There is so much hurt that darkness brings to the innocent. So many wounds that run deep, both spiritually and emotionally because of the poor choices of some. How sorely this world needs light and truth to dispell this darkness and bind up the broken hearted; to answer the pleadings of the most innocent and vulnerable among us, who long for a reprieve, however brief it might be from the rain that buffets them constantly; to soften the hearts of those who oppress that they might change their ways and perhaps find mercy in the eyes of God. Yes our world is in quite a state. But we cannot give in to the thought that all is lost. We must keep the lower lights burning. The world needs the precious spiritual Balm of Gilead (Jeremiah 8:22, 46:11) provided in the gospel, to sooth it's wounded soul. We must answer the question the Ethiopian man, sitting in his chariot, asked of Philip:
"How can I [understand], except some man should guide me?" For we know where much is given, much is required, and if we have received a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we have truly been given much. It behooves us to share it. If we will, we may one day hear "Well done thou good and faithful servant." (Matt 25:21)

 

I've had several experiences lately that have driven home to me the thought that there are oportunities every day, all around us, for each of us to let our light shine. There are so many who are in need of an encouraging word or gesture. There are so many who feel beaten down by the meanspiritedness they experience every day. I see this every day in traffic, so I think it's an excellent model of human behavior. I can't tell you how many BMWs have cut me off without so much as a head nod, let alone an actual directional signal :-) So many are quick to anger and slow to forgive over something as simple as the fact that they think yield signs don't apply to them. It's quite astonishing sometimes what I witness on the road, and I think it is a manifestation of a bigger issue. A pervasive selfishness is sinking into our culture in many areas, and the only remedy is love. Genuine, long suffering, kind, humble, meek, selfless, forgiving, love. (1 Corinthians 13) That is the light that should shine from us. It is not easy to maintain in such a world as the one in which we live, but it is worth the struggle. Much in the way of Eternity depends upon the efforts of willing participants in God's sovereign plan here on Earth. By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass. (Alma 37: 6). So go on, let somebody in in front of you on the road this week. Smile at them. See how it feels. Give that grumpy person at work a kind word. Help that family in your neighborhood that's been having a hard time. Volunteer at a shelter for the helpless or homeless. Listen to a friend share the hurt they're feeling...

 

And let your light shine. :-)