By Pam Young
I think of the first time the word light took top billing at Arborlawn for me was during the Look for the Light campaign. Since then it has become a word I associate with my church and its passion for shining.
The Bible asks us many times to be a beacon, to stand on a hill, to share our gifts. This summer it began with Annual Conference, which was followed by Youth Mission Trips. It seems summer brings a push for action from the younger members of the congregation. They are called to give of their talents to total strangers, to shine their light on their fellow man, and bring about new hope and life to another community. What is always a wonder to me is the variety of pilgrims that take on the challenge. Wayne Corbett met several volunteer youth at Annual Conference. He was moved by their light, so he joined us this year as our Senior builder. He’s retired and doesn’t have youth at Arborlawn but knew he had something to share and could make a difference.
Each night on a mission trip we are blessed to have Dave Brower share God’s word with us. He’s the “clean-up batter” for the day. He takes the day’s work and God’s word and shines a light on our mission. One evening he shared a visual with the group of a beat up box with holes in it. He then proceeded to put a light under it and demonstrated how light can shine through an old box with holes and still be a beautiful sight.
Now I don’t often feel moved when someone references me as an old box with holes, but the visual sure fit the bill. Each of us is a light - a light from God - and we each have a purpose that fits with those around us. There isn’t a trick to finding it; it involves gathering in your community and placing yourself in moments that challenge you to shine. I know we hear it all the time, but no gift is too small, too old, too anything; it’s a gift and it should be shared.
At church we look for the light to guide us, to give us a path and support. Perhaps also within the walls of our church we are blessed to have the light shine on us to encourage, to strengthen, to give comfort. But sometimes we must take the light we are given and wander out into our community and shine it so others might benefit from its illumination. It doesn’t always make sense to those of us who need “clear concise directions”. It's perhaps why they call it a calling or a leap of faith. Can’t explain it; just got to try.
Making a difference is truly what we are called to be as God's people. The difference isn’t age-specific, it isn’t financially-specific, it isn’t even faith-specific. It’s a call to BE A LIGHT. A light can only make a difference. As you attend worship, Sunday school, church events, or community events, I urge you to continue to “Look for the Light” and perhaps find your place to share your light.
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