As a child, my family made a long trek by car to go to church twice a week. The ride was 70 miles each direction. We would head down the mountain early in the morning for Sunday School at a church in Chico and then stay in town so that we could attend the evening services. We also made the trip for mid-week services, too. This meant that we did a lot of traveling late at night. At the end of each side of the trip, I had a “favorite” sight. When we left town and drove down out of the mountains, I always looked forward to the part of the road where we would crest the top of a foothill and there below would be the lights of the city glowing in front of us, lighting up the valley and signaling that the end of the long drive was near. It was the same on the return trip. You round a corner, up a slight incline and then there it was…….  the lights from the little town I grew up in shining brightly, welcoming me back! This particular view is still a favorite of mine every time I head back home. The lights never ceased to be a comfort to me because of what they represented- the end of a long trip and more importantly, home! The Bible refers to us as lights.

 You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 NIV)

 The intriguing part to me was always this….. even though Chico was much larger than Chester, the effect the lights had were the same. They dispelled the darkness, they warmed my heart and they welcomed me in. Sometimes, we play mind games with ourselves… well, I’m not the senior pastor so I’m not making much of a difference. Or, I’m not the children’s pastor, so I’m not accomplishing much. NOT TRUE. We are all called to be a light, whatever light and in whatever manner God seems fit to “light” us up in. We just need to be willing. The best part though, unlike the lights of Chester, which are a temporary source of relief, as a light to the world, we share a light that will never go dim. We share the eternal light of Christ with the world. So, let’s go out into the world and SHINE on everyone we see!