City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

16 “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. 17 “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

Luke 8:16–18 (NASB)

Reflection

As a janitor at a high school, Mr. Lumens’s job was a lonely one. He was around high school students every day at work, but as he cleaned the halls, the students walked past him as if he was not there.

However, as he mopped and swept and picked up trash, he was always listening. He felt he knew many of the students from the snippets of conversation he heard and from their interactions with one another.

He knew the ones the others looked to as leaders, those who were bullies, those who were insecure, and those who were depressed. In fact, it occurred to him one day he probably knew a side of these kids their own parents never saw, and that led to an idea.

One evening, after everyone had left, Mr. Lumens slipped a note into the locker of a student he noticed was overly concerned about what others thought of her. His anonymous note said, “You are a wonderful person. Be yourself.”

The next day, when he saw her in the hall after reading the note, her countenance reflected a quiet confidence he had never seen on her. After that, Mr. Lumens left notes for other students, with similar effect, and he continued to do so until he retired.

Years later, at a high school reunion, a former student told classmates seated around the table about an anonymous note she found in her locker her senior year in high school. She had been going through a difficult time in her life when she received the note, and she mentioned what a difference it had made in her life.

Looks of surprise began to appear on the faces of the others at the table, as they also recalled and then recounted the anonymous notes they had found in their locker and the effect it had on them, sometimes minor, sometimes profound, but always positive.

Application

“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.”

Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). When we make the decision to repent and follow Jesus, He lights us, and we become the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Jesus then shines light into a dark world through us.

But in addition, He is strategic. He is the “he” that puts the light on a lampstand…” in the scripture above (v. 16). Jesus has put us all somewhere, and nowhere is insignificant or unimportant because every corner of the world needs light. 

We can get so busy trying to get to a better place to live, to work, or to recreate, that we forget that where we currently are is where Jesus has currently put us to be a light for others.

Prayer

Lord, help me to a be light where You have currently placed me. Amen.