Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today’s post examines the need to check the light we have

Jesus said in today’s scripture, Luke 11:35-36 (NLT)…
[35] Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. [36] If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”

Consider…
Many people put up Christmas lights. I remember back in the day that if one bulb was out, the entire string wouldn’t work. Accordingly, there was always a light check before stringing them. The method of testing was simply plugging them in to see if they came on.

There are a couple spiritual connections we can find from the Christmas light test…

• Test before use…I John 4:1 (NKJV) says…Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
• All bulbs are needed…1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT) explains…All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

By the way did you know the meaning behind the traditional Christmas Light colors?

• Red represents the blood of Christ.
• Green symbolizes evergreen trees, eternal life, rebirth, and hope.
• Gold signifies light, wealth, and the gifts of the Magi (Wise Men).
• White stands for purity, innocence (baby Jesus).

The meanings behind the traditional Christmas light colors show us a couple of additional spiritual connections…

• There are varieties of colors…1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) points out…God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
• All lights are meant to represent/reflect Christ… Jesus said Matthew 5:16 (NLT)…In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Another interesting fact is old-style Christmas lights are usually called Incandescent Lights, known for their warm glow. That makes me think of Jesus saying in John 13:34-35 (NLT)…
[34] So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. [35] Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

It’s our love for others that shows the world the warm inviting glow of Christ’s Light.

But alas, this post isn’t just about Christmas lights. Although we found some connections, there’s one key one that illuminates the Holy Spirit’s message. The lights came with instructions and warnings.

If we’re honest, far too often instructions are ignored and warnings are dismissed.

According to AI Overview, around 140-200 U.S. home fires start with Christmas trees annually, causing injuries, deaths, and significant property loss, with electrical issues (lights/wiring) and heat sources being primary culprits.

And in article by Richard Campbell in 2022 for NFPA Research | U.S. Fire Problem, it was cited that…

Equipment Involved in the Ignition of Home Christmas Tree Fires

Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two out of five home Christmas tree fires (44 percent). This equipment included lamps, bulbs or lighting (19 percent), wiring or related equipment (19 percent), and cords or plugs (6 percent). Heating equipment accounted for another 13 percent of these fires, particularly space heaters (6 percent).

I share all that to point out instructions matter and warnings must be heeded.

That reminds me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)…
[24] “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [25] Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. [26] But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. [27] When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

You see instructions are meant to produce proper, effective and efficient use. And warnings are meant to prevent and protect from the dangers of improper use.

That’s why the instruction from today’s scripture is so vital for our lights to shine effectively for Christ. Essentially Jesus said, check your light. That’s because everything isn’t always as it appears.

The Apostle Paul reiterates that point in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (NLT)…
[14] But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. [15] So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

The Holy Spirit just showed me that just because it’s bright doesn’t mean it’s light.

That too makes me hear Jesus, this time admonishing in Matthew 25:41-46 (NLT)…
[41] “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. [42] For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. [43] I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ [44] “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ [45] “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ [46] “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

Notice, the people who tried to impress God, but neglected to love others are like fake lights on a tree. They appear real, but have no power, illumination, warmth or glow that draws others in to look more closely at Him.

Jesus’ admonition also reveals, He’s not interested in how you feel, rather He’s more interested in you extending His love that’s real.

That makes me hear 1 John 3:16-19 (NLT) again…
[16] We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. [17] If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? [18] Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. [19] Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

Our actions reveal the truth of what light is shining in our lives.

So we get it, test the light in us, but how? Well in addition to the verses we just read, the Apostle John warns in 1 John 1:6-7 (NLT)…
[6] So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. [7] But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

It’s simple, how we interact with others reflects the source of the light shining through us.

In closing, the Holy Spirit brought back another childhood memory to mind. I recall whenever my family went camping, we would hook up the camper and plug in the light power connection, which allowed others to see our brake and signal lights. Before we started our journey to our destination, we checked all the lights and connections on the car and camper.

I think that’s a wise check for us to do daily.

The Holy Spirit just challenged me to look at Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV) from a new perspective…
[21] Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: [22] Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. [23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Today let’s confirm the Light of Christ in shining in and through us by…

• Giving others hope
• Extending God’s great love
• Showing His unfailing compassions, which are new every morning
• Being faithful and true to who He is

God shines in and through us, to shine on others. Are you shining on others for Him?

Today’s song is…
I Want The World To See

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)