The projector at the church’s fellowship hall, when powered up, now displays this message on the screen: “Lamp is approaching the end of its useful life. Replacement suggested!” Also, a number of fluorescent lamps both in the fellowship hall and the worship hall have already reached the end of their usefulness. Instead of radiance emanating from the fluorescent lamps one can only see darkness. Replacement is needed.
Jesus uses the image of light as a description of those who are his followers. “You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5.14, 16 NIV). Paul picks up the image of light and explains: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5.8–10 NIV).
The useless lamps of the projector and the church halls can serve as a forceful parable. They remind and warn followers of Christ against failing to let our “light shine” and to “live as children of light.” To do so would make us useless to the cause of Christ. May it not be that he would see the need for replacements!
It must be clear that the light that we must radiate is ultimately not our own but the light of Christ himself. He is “the true light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1.9 ESV). He declared: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8.12 ESV). We are light only “in the Lord” (Ephesians 5.8). And we are responsible to make sure that his light shines brightly through us—without the obstructions of our own personal desires and motivations. Then we would become his useful lamps, pleasing to the Lord, resulting in people praising and giving glory to the Father.
—Keith Y. Jainga