Lampstand

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop can not be hidden. Nor do they light the lamp then set it under a bushel; it is set on a lamp stand. Matt 5:14-16

In a way living with MS put my lamp on the lamp stand for all to see. I cannot hide my physical impairments and are there for all to see. And I’ve come to learn it’s what I do with them is what matters.

We are told throughout the bible that God is light. His Word is a lamp unto my feet, a lamp unto my path. Psalm 119:105 Jesus came to dispel the darkness and we can be the suns rays, God’s Son’s rays. True and everlasting light is not to be hidden under a bushel, but to be put out on the lamp stand to shine for all to see. Not for our pride and ego purposes, but with grace and humility for the benefit of all.

Living in the light means being generous with our words and actions in goodness, kindness, gentleness, righteousness, and truth, and that can be regardless of what my physical state may be. And when I do, I not only feel better about myself, but help create a better world.

So when I’m struggling to open a tin or drop a dish that shatters to a zillion pieces and takes me the next hour to clean up, it takes real work to respond rather than react, especially if someone shows up in the very moments I’m dealing with it. Because in the big picture, I want a propagate goodness and light. But how can there be any goodness and light, or heaven forbid thankfulness in that? (The bible tells us to be thankful in all things).

To that I can say yes, it can be done. Of course not in my own human strength, but as long as I’m drawing on Christ and His strength, He helps me to let go of my reaction in favour of a more appropriate response.  Then an hour later I feel better about myself for not reacting out of anger or some other fevered human emotion. And when I do that, I further encourage myself down the road of virtue rather than vice. 

And funny enough, that’s exactly why He came – to save us from ourselves! If we let him.

So then my job is to say close to Him and his teachings and let His light shine.