Pointing to the Light

I’ve always loved the story about Robert Louis Stevenson growing up in Scotland. In those days, street lamps didn’t just come on automatically; people were hired to light each one individually. One evening, as the lamplighters did their work, climbing their ladders, lifting the glass lid, lighting the torch, shutting the lid, climbing down, and moving on to the next lamp, young Stevenson was enthralled. As dusk settled into night, one light would be kindled, then another, and another. He turned to his parents and said: “Look, they’re punching holes in the darkness!”

I am of an age who remembers the lamplighter who at dusk lit the gas lamp opposite my grandmother’s house.

What a lovely thought if we apply this the the light of the world, Jesus, the one who punches holes in the darkness.

Right at the beginning of John’s gospel we have the reassuring words, “What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out.” John 1:4-5 

There are so many stories of darkness and despair! We even 'entertain' ourselves with threats and prospects of doom! The Gospel speaks of a light which darkness will not overcome. I need to pay attention to where there is light in my life and ask that God help me to keep the light before me.

Lord,

We come to you in a time of coldness and darkness,

Looking for warmth and light.

There are those whose homes are physically freezing,

And there are those whose lives are spiritually chilly

We know that we can help warm people’s homes.

We also know you can warm people’s lives.

We pray that there will be no more gloom for those who were in anguish

We pray that you lift away people’s burdens.

We pray you remove the things that oppress from people’s lives.

We pray you give courage to those who fear.

Lord your light calls us forth to follow and serve you.

Your light still shines for all to see in this world.

May we continue to reflect your light in our lives,

in our service, in our words and in our deeds. Amen