I just moved into my new house in Indiana, which I later found out has no overhead lighting in the bedrooms. So of course, I bought a floor lamp (that I had to assemble myself).

As I put it together, I grew skeptical about its ability to brighten my space–one, it had a thick, ivory shade. Two, I bought a bulb for it that was weaker than I probably should have purchased. Three, it was a lamp trying to light up an entire bedroom.

But I turned it on, and I was surprised–it lit up my entire space.

I think most know my heart well enough to know that I’m always “Jesus juking” myself, and this time was no different–I began to think about how we always think that light is not strong enough to shine in the darkness, but in the end… light always wins.

This causes me to meditate on Jesus Christ, whose life the apostle John says “brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

No matter how much darkness there is, the light shall be seen. Yet, if we attempt to hide the light, like if I were to put my lamp in my closet, it would not be seen. In the same way, Jesus tells us to be light of this world, and not to hide it.

It’s a beautiful thing to meditate on–how am I resembling Christ? How am I being a light in this world?  Am I hiding my influence, or am I displaying it and bringing light to others?

This goes perfectly with the celebration this week of Martin Luther King, Jr; for one of my favorite quotes of his is, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

If I expect for my world to get any better, any brighter, than the light needs to shine. Christ-like love needs to be posted for all to see, so that hope can enter their hearts.

So…be light.