that’s what God said in Genesis 1:3, and so light entered the darkness; there was light and “God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.”

That was the first appearance of light into this world.  The second appearance of light into this world (a world which had grown steadily darker since Eve’s disastrous decision in the garden) occurred when Jesus was born.  “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.”  (John 1:4)

Today we carry that light within us, God’s light.  “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”  The jar of clay is me, the treasure I carry is God’s abiding Holy Spirit Presence in me, illuminating every dark corner within me, filling me with His light.

Indeed, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness.”  (1 John 1:5)

Furthermore, God said, “Let light shine out of darkness” and He “made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Knowing all this, it makes sense that Jesus would say to His followers in Matthew 5:14-16 –

“You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

So I am supposed to let my light (which is really God’s light in me) shine out into this world – but how do I do that?  How does that happen?  I’m trying so hard to keep all the pieces of me together, to show to the world a strong, tough, perfect, unbroken exterior – working so hard to hold on to everything, to ensure that I don’t experience loss –  there is no way for the light that is in me to escape, becoming visible to others.

Then I realize, unless I am broken, there is no way for my light to shine out.  It will remain trapped inside, prevented by my strong, unbroken exterior from escaping – of no use to anyone.

But when I am broken, His light pours out of all my cracks, holes, fissures and imperfections.  God uses broken people to light up His broken world.  He can’t use perfect (self-righteous) people because there is no way for them to let His light shine – a perfect, impenetrable facade may protect what is inside but it doesn’t share it.  What is carried within remains hidden from everyone.

But God said His light was to be shared – not hidden, not hoarded, but revealed in order to make Him known and to bring Him glory.  That’s why He told us to “Let your light shine . . . ”

What a relief to realize that His light shines through and out of my brokenness – out of my every wound, out of every scar, out of every hurt that leaves a hole – out of every crack, crevice and crater – His light pours out unrestrained – with nothing to hinder it –

because of my brokenness  . . .  my brokenness makes a way for Christ to enter in – and a way for His light to be made visible, just as He commanded me to do

that’s the value of an earthen vessel – porous enough to let His light pass through –

“we have this treasure in jars of clay  . . .   ”    Jesus, who said,

“I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”   (John 8:12)

He has filled me with His light – He has given me His purpose, His passion, His permission and His plea to let it shine –

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  (John 1:5)

so  . . .   let there be light!

sincerely,        Grace Day