Devotion • October 11
Today's Scripture
Luke 8:16–25
“No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.” Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” (NRSV)
Reflection
Luke 8:16-18 is an extremely well-known and discussed passage. I have always pictured one person with one lamp and one jar or basket. Frankly, while that image made some kind of impact on me, it was not that significant. When I got this assignment and started really considering the text, I began to think about Christmas at Fourth Church and many other Christian churches. A mainstay of that season is the candlelight service. If you have not witnessed a candlelight service at Fourth Church, I encourage you to view the archived video of the service last year. It is on our YouTube Channel.
The attendants light their candles and begin moving along the pews. As they pass the end of each pew they light the small candle held by the person sitting at the end. Those folks turn and light the candle of the person next to them. The light sharing continues along each pew. In short order, the sanctuary is fully illuminated. It is a beautiful and moving part of the service.
With 800 or so people in the pews, what happens if one person extinguishes their candle? Not much. However, what would happen if 400 of those in attendance extinguished their candles? The sanctuary would be noticeably dimmed.
It is far too easy for us to minimize our own contribution to the fabric of the community, maybe thinking that the small amount of time or offering that we have to give won’t make any difference. Not so. Our community needs each one of us doing the good that we can do in every aspect of our church life. Take church finances. Roughly half of our members make no direct financial contribution.
This devotion is directed to the members of Fourth Presbyterian Church. However, the message applies to every church community. In order for our churches to be all that they can, and should be, it takes all of us working together and letting all of our light shine.
Prayer
Lord, be with me, and help me to do all the good I can do. Amen.
Written by Blake Anderson, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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