Where Do You Place Lights?
By Johnny Angel
Remember, a small light will do a great deal when it is in
a very dark place. Put one little tallow candle in the middle
of a large hall, and it will give a good deal of light.
... D. L. Moody (1837-1899)
Matthew 5:[14] You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top
of a hill cannot be hidden, [15] and no one would light a lamp and put it
under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give
light to everyone in the house. [16] Make your light shine, so that
others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in
heaven. (CEV)
I spoke with a minister who has had the priviledge of going to the Holy
Lands. He shared that He was able to see the city on a hill that Jesus
probably referred to. It did indeed shine out. And imagine what it was
like 2,000 years ago. They didn't have electricity. So the lamp in the
house had to be placed in absolute darkness and in a place where it
would be most effective at lighting the parts of the house that were
being used.
Last year, our Baptist Student Union did a skit called "Where Do You
Place Lights?". A person comes along feeling depressed. He bumps
into a friend and begins explaining how horrible it is that God put him on
a football team.
"Look at me, I'm skin and bones," he explains.
His friend says, "Where do you place lights?"
"What? Well anyway, they are mean to me, and they cuss all the
time."
"Okay, I can see you're not getting this. Lights. You know, you use a
flashlight to light your path. They light up a room so you can see what's
happening. Now, where do you place lights?"
"What is this--an electricity quiz?!? Let's get back to my life! I just
don't see why I'm in such a horrible place! (pause) Oh, wait a minute!
I see. (pointing at his friend. . .) You place lights in dark places.
(pointing at himself. . .) You place lights in dark places. (pointing at
audience. . .) Where do you place your lights?"
God puts us in places that oftentimes don't make a lot of sense. But
He has promised to go with us all the way. Let us allow Him to use us
and to let His light shine through us!"
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prayer requests:
- my job interview Wednesday night
- a friend who is trying to decide on a career
- a friend who may be changing schools and is praying for God
to send her Mr. Right
- a girl who is suffering from leukemia and who has not made a
decision about Christ
- the family of a boy who just died
- our Baptist Student Union as it plans activities and ministers
- a man who will be having serious surgery soon
- a friend who is leaving our Baptist Student Union to take on
a new ministry at his church
N Prayer,
Johnny <*}}}><