The keeper of a lighthouse in Calais boasted about the brightness of his lantern, which could be seen ten nautical miles off the coast. A visitor asked him, “What if one of the lights goes out by accident?” “Never! Impossible!” exclaimed the lighthouse keeper, horrified at the thought. He pointed to the ocean: “There, where you can’t see anything, ships sail out to all parts of the world. If one of my burners went out tonight, within six months, a letter would come, perhaps from India, perhaps from America, perhaps from a place I have never heard of, saying that on such a night, at such an hour, the light of Calais was burning dimly, the keeper was neglecting his post, and the ships were in danger! Ah, sometimes, on dark nights, in stormy weather, I look out to the sea and feel as if the eyes of the whole world were looking at my light. Go out? Go out? Never!”
As believers, we are the light of the world, and Paul writes that we are to shine as “lights in the world” in the midst of those around us (Phil. 2:15). The Lord Jesus compares our identity as witnesses to a bright city on a high mountain that simply cannot be overlooked at night. He is saying: “Dear disciples, it should be the case that people cannot help but see you shining as lights!” Unfortunately, there are still two dangers that can hinder this shining. He asks the rhetorical question: “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?” (Mk. 4:21). Of course, you don’t buy a lamp to put it under a basket or under a bed; that would be completely absurd and irrational. The lesson is clear: we are very often this lamp that is placed somewhere completely out of place, where it spreads no light:
- … under a basket, which speaks of busyness. Especially in our fast-moving times with busy schedules, we often simply don’t have enough time, do we? Wrong! We often just don’t have enough time for the things of the Lord. Our time problem is often more of a motivation problem. If we no longer find any time to shine for the Lord in this world because of soccer, shopping, our job, all kinds of events, our traditional Saturday outings, etc., then our light is under a basket. Paul calls out to us: “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:4).
- … under the bed, which indicates comfort. Outreach tomorrow? Phew, I actually wanted to sleep in this Saturday. Handing out tracts outside? It’s actually pretty cold; it’s much cozier at home. The barbecue weekend to regenerate and the extended annual vacation, on the other hand, have now become a must. But putting your feet up does not fit in with the “labor” in the Lord’s work that Paul speaks of (1 Cor. 15:58). God calls out to us: “But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” (2 Chr. 15:7).
As we said, it is impossible to keep a great, bright city hidden. As Christians, however, we often manage to hide our light very well. Keyword “submarine Christians”—we go underground. Visibly praying before lunch in the canteen at work, at university, or school? Difficult… Taking a stand on issues such as sex before marriage or other moral issues? Rather not… Telling a fellow human being who seems somehow depressed about the hope in Christ? I better keep my mouth shut… Giving a tract to a traveler who I will never see again in my life? Hardly worth it … The list of light dimmers in our lives is seemingly endless.
Let the Lord inspire us anew to shine for Him according to our calling. You have a wonderful light that the Lord Jesus wants to see shine brightly in this world. He gives you the strength to do so.
“I don’t put much stock in your faith if it is not visible. Lamps don’t talk. They shine.” (Charles H. Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892)
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