A
Light Unto My Path
By Susan Klein
“Thy word is a lamp
unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
One
of my favorite childhood memories is when we used to chase after
“lightning-bugs” (fireflies) and put them in a glass jar. After collecting a
couple dozen or so, my neighborhood friends and I would put the jar to use as a
flashlight which would illumine the path back to one of our houses. Once
inside, we’d go sit in a dark closet and watch the tiny creatures emit their
brilliant green glow. It was quite magical!
Recently,
a pastor-friend of mine included the above verse in his sermon. He posed a
challenging question to his hearers: “What good is a lamp (God’s word) unto my
feet if I just stand there and look at it?” That gave me cause to reflect on my
own life. What have I been doing with God’s Word lately? Do I just skim it
sporadically? Am I reading it for the purpose of gaining head knowledge? Is it
just becoming rote-reading, intellectual stimulation, or food for thought? What
am I really doing with it?
The
pastor went on to say, “It’s a light unto my path, so I move forward and act on it.” Like the jar of lightning
bugs, I’m supposed to put God’s Word to use. James 1:22 reflects these same
thoughts: Do not merely listen to the
word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says! (Emphasis mine) God doesn’t intend for us to keep His Word to
ourselves and use it solely to light our own personal path. Rather, He wants us
to let His light (Word) shine as we walk along, so that others who are walking
on dark paths may be exposed to His light (words) through our actions. We, like
the lightning bugs, are the vessels He uses to light the way for others. God
supplies the light for our path, but we must choose to act on it. Just staring at
the lamp on our own feet will not propel us to action. Jesus exhorts us in
Matthew chapter 5 to let our light shine before men, that they may see our good
deeds and praise our Father in heaven. Shining equals action!
I
believe Dwight L. Moody sums it up well. “We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we
won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call
attention to their shining - - they just shine.”
GOING
DEEPER:
1. How full
is your “jar of lightning bugs”? Are you putting it to good use?
2. Whose
path might need a little of your light?
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator
and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working
with inner-city youth.
