Bringer of Light

It’s winter and darkness comes early.  The post-work trek to my car is cold and gloomy as I snuggle my coat just a little closer to ward off the chill in the air.  As I approach my car in the parking garage, the lights ahead of me flicker on one-by-one announcing my approach.  The Holy Spirit whispers to me, “This is you, bringer of Light.”  My mind tries to wrap itself around this pronouncement and my heart swells and my knees wobble a bit at all the meanings and implications this has on my life.

I’ve spent a few days pondering this now.  Bringer of light.  Bringer of Light.  How is it that I’m a bringer of Light?  What does that mean?

As Christians, we belong to Christ and are Christ-bearers.  Since Christ was the Light of the world, we bear that Light with us wherever we go.  John 8:12 ” When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the Light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

I think of Mary and Elizabeth, both pregnant – literally and figuratively.  As Mary approached Elizabeth, filled with the Light she bore in her womb, Baby John leapt with joy in the presence of that Light.  (Luke 1:41)

Like Mary, we bear the Light of Christ within us.  We bring Light wherever we go.  That Light cannot be hidden.  We are called to put our Light on a stand and let it shine before others, so they may glorify God.

“You are the Light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people Light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives Light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your Light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

If the purpose of our Light is to bring God glory, then just by simply being our Light shines and glorifies God and we are then automatically engaged in a spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness in this world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  (Ephesians 6:12)  Many humans will love darkness more than Light because of their evil deeds and will do what they can to extinguish, block, or hide from your Light.  (John 3:19)

Many humans, likewise are afraid of the dark.  They fear the night, the shadows, the dark alleys where harm may lurk.  Light, however small or dim, dispels darkness, and so our presence can bring a peace and calm to a situation where it didn’t exist before.  The darkness cannot overcome the Light, but the Light can overcome the darkness.  “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

People will either fear or embrace the Light you bear.  And the Light you bear is bright.  So bright, it cannot be hidden and there is no darkness in it at all (1 John 1:5-6).

So, Bringer of Light, shine bright in your world and dispel the darkness around you knowing that the Light has overcome the darkness and you have nothing to fear.  “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

This painting by Nathan Rhoads is a commissioned prophetic painting that he created which perferctly illustrates the message that I felt the Holy Spirit gave me. It is called “You are the Message.”