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In a recent meeting I attended, council members spent time coordinating our “year at a glance” calendar. We were laying out the plans for the various activities of our church. Later I found myself reflecting upon the Lutheran rite of Baptism and my favorite line; “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Many authors, both Christian and secular, write about the light that resides in each of us. That light that shines through our individual cracks. The power of the light we carry lies in its ability to transform ourselves and those around us.
Each of us carries a light within us. This light can be understood as our inner goodness, authenticity, love, wisdom and unique gifts we bring to the world. How we use the light, many times, was formed in our childhood and modeled by the important adults around us. My parents modeled using their light by serving their church, the schools my sister and I attended and the community in which we lived. By doing so, their servant attitudes paired with joyful hearts allowed their lights to shine! They would be pleased to witness their legacy continues.
None of us navigates the world alone. We may believe in our darkest moments we are by ourselves, but we are not. We walk this journey with many others. How we choose to share our light effects that journey. We can use our voice for good or we can tear others down. It is a hard lesson learned to realize that we never truly lift ourselves up by tearing someone down. In my own home church I witness several women carrying lights so bright, hearts so big, and a love so grand, they cannot help share all of their blessings with us. It is a gift to have these women as friends but even more so to have them as mentors! Who needs your light today? Someone does, of that I am most certain.
In today’s world it is so easy to dwell on what is bad, what is wrong, what is frightening. However, throughout history good eventually prevails! We are charged to march on and create a world, a space and relationships that reflect the love we have for Christ. In our liturgical readings throughout the month of August, the wisdom of God is revealed to us through the actions of Jesus Christ. He fed his people both spiritually and physically. The Women of the ELCA need to transform our spiritual hunger into action! A friend told me we need to become “spiritually hangry”. Using the light within us to bring good into the world involves a combination of self-awareness, empathy, and intentional action. By consistently acting with love, kindness, and integrity, your inner light can inspire and uplift others, creating a ripple effect of goodness in the world. How do you shine your light? To what efforts will it shine upon?
When we shine our light, we inspire others to do the same! This creates a chain reaction where people feel empowered to bring their best selves forward contributing to a more compassionate, loving and connected world.
“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!”
Blessings,
Lisa Lopez
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