When I read the verses in John 1, without diving into and studying, I can get the sense that I am somehow the one that would be providing salvation to those that I come in contact with, “I am the light”.

“⁴IN him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:4-5 (ESV)

But I have to read and study further to truly understand as John the Baptist understood, that he was simply to be the one to “bear witness about the light” and to make clear that it was the Messiah that would be providing the salvation.

“⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all believe through him. ⁸He was not the light, but cam to bear witness about the light.” – John 1:6-8 (ESV)

We, as John are hear only to bring the name of Jesus to everyone. We are not here to soak up any glory or reward here in this world, as we are only here for a short while as we pass through to heaven. We are to be the one holding the candle that is the light, not to be the light ourselves.

“⁹The true light, which enlightens everyone was coming into the world.” – John 1:9 (ESV)

Jesus is coming again and it is my duty to let His light shine so that all can see and have the opportunity to accept the salvation he provides so they too will find glory in heaven.

When you think about your role for Christ here in this world, do you think somehow that you are the light? What if you were to realize that you are only holding the candle that is the light so all could see? What if you were, as John the Baptist did, proclaim that you are only here to bear witness of the light?

Responsibility is something that can weigh heavy on someone. Knowing that it is my job or I am “in charge” of a task and its completion can be overwhelming and seem almost insurmountable.

“³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:30 & 29 (ESV)

Jesus declares to get along, we should look to Him for our approach. And when we do, we will be granted rest in the work. I will say that it is a difficult concept to grasp. We are doing work, yet the work is restful?

As I look at the concept, I can only compare it to what some may refer to as being “in the zone” or in a “state of flow”. I watch a lot of sport and witness regularly, an athlete that seems to effortlessly excel. They go on a 10 for 10 hitting streak in baseball or softball, run for 300 yards in a football game, or card a 65 in golf. My youngest son scored 21 points in a basketball game and his highest total to that point was 11. Each of these seemed to complete these easily and when asked, they simply say they were “in the zone”. My son even told me that he wasn’t even getting great easy shots, they were just somehow going in.

As I continue to study and reach for what I know, they were able to complete those feats based on the work they did to prepare and the comfort and love of the work. They admit that when it was all over, they were tired physically and mentally, but the sort of tired that they were eager to do it again. The work was not a burden at all.

When I am doing the work of Christ, I should find comfort and love of the work, and where I may be tired physically and mentally, that tired should make me eager to do it again. That is what is meant, as I see it, when Jesus says “my burden is light”.

When you are working for Jesus, are you tired both physically and mentally? What is your experience with that work and your comfort and love of the work? Are you able to think of the burden of the work being “light”?

Too often I must say that I am too quiet and not willing to stand up and be counted or recognized for the one that I am. I am a child of God and that is certainly not something that I should be quiet about.

“¹⁴You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

I have studied this verse a number of times over the past few years and each time I was brought here as I studied a different word, this time studying the word “light”.

As a child of God it is my duty to stand tall for Him. I am lean on the courage supplied by Him to to the work He has for me. I am not to be ashamed, or timid, or concerned with the worldly consequences of my allegiance to Him. As Paul was willing to go to prison and ultimately killed for His devotion to God and all that God had for him to do, so should I.

Back in 2018, I was in a study of the word “world”, and wrote the below:

Jesus tells us in the verses above that our light should shine for others to see. As I read the commentary in one of my Bibles, we should:

1. Not be quiet when we should speak
2. Not be going along with the crowd
3. Not deny the light
4. Not let sin dim our light
5. Be explaining our light to other
6. Not ignore the needs of others

It is up to me to live the six points above each and every day as I go through this world. And as I do, I will bring glory to God as I do the work He has for me.

Are you letting your light shine? What are you doing to be the light? How can you be the light for God in your own life?

Every thing starts somewhere and at sometime. Jesus’ ministry had a beginning, and whereas, yes, he taught in the temple at about age 12, His official ministry began much later. That time is noted in the book of Matthew in chapter 4, where the one that came to prepare the way for Him, John the Baptist, was arrested and gave way to Jesus. Jesus moved to Capernaum and began His work just as had been prophesied by Isaiah.

“¹⁷From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” – Matthew 4:17 (ESV)

It seems like such a redundant thing to me that Jesus had to “begin” His ministry, as my knowledge of Jesus has always been that of Savior and Lord. But just as everything else, it is a matter of perspective and timing. Had I been in that time, I would have been ignorant to Jesus and would have needed to be pointed in the direction of His ministry beginning.

Isn’t it similar today in that there are those that do not know of the glorious gift of salvation provided by Jesus’ death on the cross, and there are those that are not aware of the ministry of Jesus. His ministry is always beginning somewhere to and with someone. I am the bearer of that ministry in my life and have the duty to be sure that His word is spread for all to hear.

I have to remember that to me the ministry of Jesus began a long time ago, and as such, it is my duty to continue that ministry today in my life with those around me.

When you are out, what vision do you have of the ministry of Jesus? What awareness do you have of the beginning of His ministry? What part are you going to play in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry?

When it comes to light, I never thought of the idea of do I work for it, or does it work for me. This morning I am continuing my study of the “light” and was reminded of the idea that light is the servant of me. Yes, I work to provide the means by which I can get light, but the light itself serves my needs. When it is dark, it provides the way for me to see. When the path is covered, it provides the visibility as to which way to go. When things are dull around me, I use light to brighten things up.

“⁶…I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” – Isaiah 49:6b (ESV)

I read the passage above this morning and was illuminated (pun intended) to the service provided by Christ for me in this world. Christ is the light for the world. When things are dark, He lights it up. When the path is covered, He provides the visibility as to which way to go. When things are dull, He brightens them up. I am not able to continue without the light that is Christ.

How do you see light, as a servant or something you work for? What about Christ, how is it that you see Him? What can be done to remember Christ as the light and servant of your life?

I remember watching the movie with Jim Carrey, “Bruce Almighty”. And in the movie, “Bruce” is answering prayers as he fills in for God. Just when he thinks he has answered them all, painstakingly to him, reading through them all in email his email box refreshes and is filled with too many for him to work through. In the interest of answering all prayers, he selects them all and says “YES” to all the requests, only to awake the next day and the world is in disarray.

“⁷I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things.” – Isaiah 45:7 (ESV)

God is in control of all and every prayer is answered with precision. As we are communicating with God, He is listening intently, whenever and whatever that might be. He knows what is in store for me and begins to look at my requests and how that fits into the plans He has for me. And, if it fits as He has planned, then His answer is yes, if it does not, then the answer is no or here is something instead. Just because He does not give me what I want does not mean that He does not give me what I need.

God demonstrates to me daily that He has a purpose for me. He formed light and created darkness to show that He does have a purpose in all that He does. As a parent I have to say no to things in the interest of guiding my boys to better choices. God does the same for me. He guides me to make choices that glorify Him and keep me moving to complete the tasks He has laid out for me.

How are you accepting the answers God gives to your prayers? Are you looking for the answer of yes, or are you looking at how to glorify Him? What if you were to embrace that God demonstrates His purpose for you through His answers?

At one time or other, we all walk in darkness.

“²The people who walked in darkness have see a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has light shined.” – Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)

Here the words are depicting those who used to walk in darkness have found the light that is Christ. I am one of those that have found the light and now I have the privilege of walking in that light daily. The “deep darkness” is all around me, but I walk in the light that only Christ can manifest.

For me it does seem sometimes that darkness is taking over this world around me. I know that in society we experience many difficult moments and events that make it difficult to see the light. As that darkness is all around, Christ is there as the light in that darkness.

This morning as I went for my morning exercise, I passed by house with a powerful light illuminating an area, and as it shone toward me, my shadow was cast opposite the light. A few steps later, I was under the street light and as the light shone down on me, my shadow cast from that light shining toward me was gone.

The world is casting shadows all around us and it is difficult to make sense of it all. When we find ourselves in the light from above, Christ wipes out those shadows and gives us the protection from that darkness.

The light of Christ that shines from above is available for us all. The love and care of Christ is so strong and wide that all of the shadows around are wiped out when we are in the light that is Christ.

When you find yourself dealing with the darkness and shadows, where are you turning? Are you seeking the light from above? What if you were to look for the light as given by Christ, after all it is provided for all?

“⁵O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. ²It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, ³and many peoples shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go the law and word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” – Isaiah 2:5, 2-3 (ESV)

If you are reading like I did, the first thing that stands out is that the house of the LORD is atop a mountain. Not at the side of the sea, or near the open fields, or at the edge of town, but the “highest of the mountains”. And Isaiah is saying that the house of Jacob will come to the house of the LORD.

It is not easy to continue on the path to the LORD. The terrain is difficult and treacherous. The journey is long and tiresome. Not an evening stroll, but a strenuous uphill climb.

But, the reward is worth the trip. When we make the journey, we find the glory of the LORD. We learn His ways and establish our walk in the path He provides for us. I am glad for the journey and the prospect of finding the glory that lies ahead with Him.

I choose to follow the lighted path. The trip will be difficult, but the path is lighted making every step on solid ground. I will find the truth that is Christ and with that truth will have the learning to meet the challenges that lie in my path with confidence, strength, and resolve. I will overcome all that is presented because I am on the lighted path.

In the world, are you on the lighted path provided by God? What if you were to follow Him, taking that difficult road up the mountain? How much more would you learn as you travel in the light of the LORD?

This morning my prayer was for God to continue doing His work through me. To continue allowing me to see the work that He is doing through me. And what do you know, He led me to the passage for me to see He is listening.

“¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

It is something to feel as though I am doing the work of God and yet I am not able to see the results of that work. To walk away after completing the job you set out to do only to hear of, at a much later time, an impact that was recently made in the same area.

I have to remember that God has me doing a job for Him and that job is not for me. I am to walk in the path He has lighted for me. I am to do His work for His glory and rest knowing that I have been a good a faithful servant. I have fulfilled my task and He is well pleased.

I know that too often I look for the acknowledgment from man for the work that I have done and when that does not come, I am frustrated and disappointed. The reality is, it does not matter what man has to say, I am doing the work in the path lit by God for me and when I have fulfilled my duty to the task given, I have glorified God and I am now ready to take on the next task in the lighted path for me.

I use the light of God to bring Him glory and when I do so, He will encourage me by allowing me to see the fruit of my labor when the time is right for me to see.

What things have you done and felt that you were not acknowledged of even being there? Were you more focused on the end journey than on the light path and tasks given to you by God? What if you were to focus on the lighted path and work given in order to simply glorify God?

“¹³For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” – Psalm 56:13 (ESV)

I have nothing left to fear. Death has been taken from me and I have been freed to walk in peace. What is that peace but the light of God’s face which provides life for me.

Walking in the “light of life” is not something to take passively. I must continue to do the work of Christ in my life to which I will be bringing glory to God.

“¹²I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offering to you.” – Psalm 56:12 (ESV)

Now that I have been given the gift of eternal life, I owe a debt to God that can never be repaid. I know that sounds so permanent and that I am bound forever and will never be able to escape. But, God’s gift is just that, a gift. As I look at what my role is, I maintain that I should be thankful and accept the gift and reciprocate to the Father all that is in me without question or expectation of more than He has already given.

As I progress through this world, I am blessed to have been given the gift of salvation and with that I am able to delight in the light of His face as I continue. This world is not my final destination, and as I continue in and through it, I must continue giving glory to the one that provides for me, GOD.

Are you able to continue in this world knowing that you have been given a gift? Are you looking for more, or are you aware that the gift given is the ultimate? What are you doing to delight in the light provided by God and how are you honoring him?