This Little Light of Mine
My husband is a creature of the dark. I no longer enjoy eating at certain restaurants because he hates the way the pin point lighting bothers him. We had to purchase new stand up torchiere lamps for our home because the bright bulbs on the ceiling fan gave him a headache. Through his eyes, I have learned that too much light is not only blinding, it’s painful.
My man’s aversion to too much light came to mind today as I was reading in the Gospels. God calls on me to be a “light to the world” so that others may see Him more clearly:
“No one lights a lamp, then hides it in a drawer.
It’s put on a lamp stand
so those entering the room have light to see where they’re going.
Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body.
If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief,
your body fills up with light.
If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust,
your body is a dank cellar.
Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning,
so you don’t get musty and murky.
Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.”
Luke 11: 33-36, MSG
I read this passage with a different mindset — I pictured what my husband would define as “well-lighted.” The light should allow you to see things more clearly. but it should be comfortable and inviting, not stark and repelling. I was reminded of the song I sang in childhood, “This little light of mine…” It doesn’t say “This floodlight of mine…” I need to stay connected to Him, the Light of the world, and ask Him to keep my bright light burning — at a level that others find attractive, not offensive.
Q4U: How do you let your little light shine? Can you relate to my husband’s aversion to the light?
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I love that thought, “not FLOODlight”! What a neat perspective, and so true – that too much light is blinding, and not comfortable. I love hearing your insights. Hugs to you! 🙂
Thanks, Michelle. I am praying that God helps me to shine more effectively.
I think you’re shining very effectively! 🙂
You are such an encourager, sweet friend. Hugs
Very interesting! I have not thought about light being offensive in a spiritual sense, only in the sense that it “hurts” some such as one who gets Migraines from too much light. But as Christians, we are to be a light in this dark world, but the way you described this about the way your husband is affected by too bright a light, so too can we be too bright, too offensive if we come on too strong, too high and mighty. I just read another’s words recently about listening. If we try to interject our thoughts while someone is speaking, we are not listening and cannot really interject with any meaning because we are too busy thinking about what we will say and when we will say it while never hearing what they are saying. It seems similar. Too bright a bulb when we must be soft and willing to wait upon the Lord to give us the right moment and the right words. Caring through Christ, ~ linda (visiting from SDG)
Linda, I love what you said about waiting on the Lord to give me the right moment and the right words. That’s it! 🙂
I can most definitely relate to your husband’s aversion to bright lights! Bright lights cause me to have migraines, even bright sunlight.
Your perspective on letting your light shine at comfortable, non-offensive level is great. I had never thought of it that way, but it makes perfect sense!
The right moment. The right light. The right words. 🙂 <3
Bruce gets terrible headaches as well — I definitely don’t want to have that affect on someone. The right words & time — I can’t do anything right without God’s help.
What a great perspective!! We do want to be a light, but I love how you said we don’t want to be a “floodlight”! We don’t want to be overbearing, harsh, and insensitive, which is exactly how I picture a floodlight! Thanks for sharing these thoughts, have a blessed day!!
Insensitive…, yes! I pray that I am do in tune with the Spirit that He gives me His discernment. On my own, I am quite a mess. 🙂
Very well and cleverly written! I have sympathy with your husband and understand your analogy with the floodlight for I have Fm/CFS and bright lights or sunshine cause me a lot of pain. We all know the people that irritate us so much in their zeal to spread the Gospel! Their lights are like floodlights blinding us to the beauty and wonder that is God.
Much love
Mia
He is beauty & wonder… I love how you explained that. 🙂
Oh, wow. I never thought about this in this way. But I totally hear what you are saying. It’s like we need a “dimmer switch” of sorts, for God to tone us up or down depending on the situation.
It’s funny you should say that because Bruce put a dimmer on the chandelier in our dining room… that was the 1st light he adjusted in the house. I could use a dimmer switch on some days… my mouth gets the best of me.
You are the brightest treasure I have on this earth.
Thanks for always being there and guiding me when I’m in my dark place.
God has given me the best helpmate and friend ever!
I love you sunshine :o)
I love you!!!!
Such a great post! How often do we want to turn the harsh light into other’s lives while keeping it soft and dim within our own hearts to hide our sin. Very thought provoking, thanks!
So true, Marty. I need to remove the big plank in my eye before I open my mouth. 🙂
Oh, I’ve never thought of it this way!
“The light should allow you to see things more clearly. But it should be comfortable and inviting, not stark and repelling.”
Thanks for the insight. Love this. And sorry that your husband has trouble with bright lights. Must be hard.
Thanks, Lisa. We went to a nice new place after church on Saturday, and he got an immediate headache from the lighting. He suggested that we could come back as long as he was wearing a baseball cap. 🙂
Good point! My sister burns stark white ceiling lights at such a high wattage that I always tell her a surgeon could operate in her house 🙂 That kind of light can blind instead of illumine. I can relate to your husband’s view.
I always turn on all the lights when I enter a room… he always turns them off and sits in the dark. We are quite a pair. 🙂
Oh, your husband and I would get along! A few years ago, friends declared our house so dark they bought us a lamp while staying with us. I think they thought we didn’t have the money for a nice lamp…in reality, we like the dark!
I think he would be right at home at your house — right now, he is sitting in the office with all the lights off except for his PC monitor. I am in the living room with all the lights on. We are quite a pair. 🙂
Like everyone else, I’m drawn to your statement about not being a floodlight. That is so true! The world needs a soft, welcoming light. That’s what we should be – kind and gentle. Thank you for the reminder.
I couldn’t think of the right phrase to use… strobe light, search light… I was at a loss for the right phrase to capture the idea, and then Bruce and I started looking on Google, and I found it. Flood light. That was the right phrase I was looking for. Thank you, Google. 🙂
This was just a beautiful post! May we be little lights that shine bright in a dark world. I visited from Tell His Story & am glad that I did!
Thanks for visiting, Joanne. I hope you have a wonderful Easter. 🙂
So insightful, Lyli! It is true that sometimes we can come across too strong and offend instead of illuminate. Thank you for this reminder to be gentle and loving when I share my faith.
I am praying that God will help me live it out well and shine effectively for Him. Hope you have a wonderful Easter, Laura. 🙂
What wonderful insight! I love how God directs you to messages you need to hear, and this was one of them. Thank you!
I love reading The Message translation. It provides a lot of inspiration 🙂
I just read this Scripture & it brought to mind what you had written on your blog. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness & respect.” (1 Peter 3:15).
It was a good & lasting word that you brought!
Blessings,
Joanne
Thanks for sharing that verse, Joanne. Awesome word! 🙂