Arise & Shine, for your light has come.
Yes! Get excited!
But do you really understand what that means?
During a Bible study that I had the privilege of leading in a small village somewhere in Eastern Nigeria, I shared an analogy. Speaking to a humble gathering that consisted mostly of traders from my grandmother’s demography, I asked, “If I told you that you’d make a lot of money buying biscuits and sweets and selling them in front of our local primary school but you don’t act on that information, would you still make that money?”
The obvious answer is no. Common sense, right?
I then asked the follow-up question, “Was the issue a lack of knowledge? Or the fact that the knowledge didn’t translate into action?”
I quietly hoped that the resident priest did a great job of translating, because I don’t speak Igbo, however, from their reactions, I could tell that the analogy landed because it was basic enough for them to understand as it probably is for those reading this.
It is intriguing that even with the abundance of spiritual capital available in this age (in terms of books, podcasts, audio and video sermons, conferences, ministers, apologists and the ultimate guide- the Bible), many Christians still struggle with doing a great job of “shining the light” as we’ve clearly been instructed to by Christ.
You’ve probably seen the irony on the news: a robbery or kidnapping ring made up of men with very Christian names like Peter, James, John. However, you could argue that those are just names, aren’t they?
Consider the police force, civil service and other government parastatals known for deep-rooted corruption. Within these very systems are deacons- even pastors- serving faithfully in church, paying tithes, giving generously and being celebrated publicly. Yet they also lead or contribute to institutions that run on bribery, dishonesty, and oppression.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1).
Not particularly sure they got the memo, to be honest. So again, it begs the question: What is the disconnect? A lack of knowledge?
I doubt it.
I’m pretty sure that the policewoman who charged me ₦2,000 to file a report had some knowledge of God; I’m confident of it. Turns out, the ‘official’ rate of the illegal charge was actually ₦1,000 (another officer called her out the day after). Yet, I watched the same woman, who had defrauded me, invoke God’s name to curse a child molester.
Clearly, knowledge of God isn’t the issue. The real problem is a lack of understanding. As illustrated earlier, results are tied to what we do- not just what we know.
Understanding Light
Yes, we’re called to be the light; but what does that even mean in our individual and collective contexts? And how can we actively live out that calling everyday? What exactly is light anyway?
1 John 1:5 tells us that “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.’ Also, John 1:4–5 tells us regarding Jesus, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
We know from Scripture that in the beginning, God created light and separated it from the darkness. Darkness is simply the absence of light and that darkness isn’t just literal; it’s also symbolic. It represents the sinful norm, moral decay and spiritual blindness prevalent in the world today.
“For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:2).
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19).
“Everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (John 3:20).
Jesus Himself told His disciples in Matthew
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:14
So here’s the connection:
God is Light → Jesus embodies that Light → We, in turn, reflect Jesus Who being the perfect image of the Father (John 5:19), is the Light of men. Thus, as His followers, we are to shine that same light into the world.
A good way to understand this is to consider the relationship between the sun and the moon. The sun shines bright, giving light and warmth during the day. The moon? It has no light of its own and simply reflects the sun at night. The more aligned the moon is with the sun, the brighter it shines- and I have witnessed nights almost as bright as day, thanks to a full moon reflecting the sun’s glory.
Similarly, we shine only to the degree that our lives reflect God’s nature.
Our light has come. Christ has been revealed and He has perfectly shown us the Father’s nature. He has made clear the Father’s heart and character- and now, He also lives in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
It is therefore our responsibility to show forth His light in our conversations, interactions, actions and thought patterns. We can do this by carefully considering what God would have us do in every moment. Before reacting or responding, ask: What would Jesus do in this situation? For it is both in preaching and living out the Word, that we draw others to God’s light.
We have received God’s light and His light has made us the light of the world. If it appears that darkness thrives in our immediate environment, it may either be because we have refused to shine our light or because, like a crescent moon, we’re not aligned enough to reflect His light well enough.
Examine yourself: How brightly does the Light of God shine in you and through you? On campus, at work, in your home or in your church, how many people have drawn closer to God simply because of your light? Or have you been sitting quietly in the dark, allowing shadows to grow within you; shadows that are hindering the light of God from filling you well enough to shine?
Let us pray.
I pray that God would empower us, by the same Spirit through which Jesus lived out this instruction, to do the same.
Amen.
Godwin Obamina
IG Handle: one__inc