“The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light.”
– Felix Adler (Leaves of Gold, pg. 117)
In my former hobby of caving, one of the skills learned is the ability to walk by someone else’s light. There could be various reasons why this would become necessary, ranging from prudent choice to actual emergency. In such circumstances, the one bearing the light becomes aware of the need to walk a little differently. The light he has is held not for himself only, but for another as well. It puts upon such a person a greater sense of responsibility, knowing that you hold the light that must keep another from stumbling.
The true light of the world is Jesus. We know that by scripture, and many can confirm it by personal experience. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus clarifies truth amid world forces that foster deception. He heals our brokenness, restoring our relationship to our Creator and to others. It is not an overstatement to say that the light of Christ is life-giving. We come to know true life, abundant life, through Him.
How, though, does Christ’s light shine in the world? While we might come up with varying answers to that question, the most clear and frequent answer is through those who follow Him. You might encounter a person who testifies of coming to Christ because of direct divine revelation, something like Saul’s Damascus road experience. Still, the more common testimony is of those who came to Christ because someone else showed them the way. This is in line with scripture. Jesus himself said to his followers, “You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Paul said that believers would appear as lights in the world in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (Philippians 2:15).
I can look back through the chapters of my life and name many who held the light of Christ for me to see. Some did it in early years, before I came to embrace faith in Christ for myself. Many others have done it as spiritual fathers and mothers. They are people I could follow as they followed Christ. While this remains true, I also realize that at this point in life there are others who are looking to me to hold the light for them. This is part of my calling, not as a pastor, but as a disciple. By God’s grace, I pray that I will be faithful to hold the light so that others around me will avoid stumbling.
St. Francis of Assisi once said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” Will you be that candle for Christ?
See you along the Winding Path.
The Winding Path 