I am going to preface this by saying that I am a science teacher who loves I love science. I also love Biblical applications of science.
The Bible speaks much about light. In fact, one of the first things God created was light. I also have been thinking about what it means to be the “light of the world.” I John 1:5 says, …that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. In John 8:12, Jesus says, …I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus tells His followers, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Then, Jesus says in John 9:5, As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. There are many verses that talk about Jesus being the light and about Christians walking in the light.
While Jesus says that He is the light, He also says that we are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14 does not say that we can be the light of the world or that we should be the light of the world. Instead, He says that we are the light of the world. This knowledge set my science brain to thinking.
Jesus is like the sun; He gives off His own light. He is always shining whether we are facing Him or not. That fact is worth a whole separate devotion! We, however, do not have light on our own. We are just flesh, but we reflect Christ’s light as we spend time with Him.
We are like the moon. The moon does give light, but sometimes it gives more light than it does at other times. During certain days of month, we see the part of the moon that is facing the sun when there is a full moon. On other days, we can barely see the side that is away from the sun when there is a new moon. A new moon is visible in the sky, but it can be difficult to see. While there are various phases in between the full moon and the new moon, it is easiest to see the moon and its light reflected from the sun when it is full.
Therefore, how can we be a full moon?
First, we must spend time with the Lord. We cannot reflect what we do not see. If the sun were to stop shining, the moon would just be a piece of rock in space. Similarly, when we do not spend time with the Lord, we give as much light as the new moon. We cannot be an effective light to point people to Christ unless we stay within that light.
Second, we need to make sure that we are showing that light to others. In space, a new moon is just as bright as a full moon; we just cannot see it. The dark side is facing us. In the same way, we must not be afraid to let our light shine. It is okay if the people with whom we work know we are Christians. It is good when the places we regularly shop know we are children of God. While it is probably not a good idea to be constantly preaching at them, it is okay to invite them to church or even to treat them with Christian kindness.
We are the light of the world and a representation of the light Himself, Jesus Christ! Let us all determine to not be dark, like the new moon, in this world that needs light so badly. Shine brightly! Be a full moon to light the way to the One Who is the light of all the world!
by Vicki Voorhis
