Steps of Light

​One thing I like about our church is that the children are encouraged to come to the front of the sanctuary during worship time. Some of them wave flags, some sing, and others dance about. There is one little girl who comes to Sunday service in her pretty dress with a puffed-out skirt. You can see the delight on her face as she twirls around. I so enjoy watching her! However, the best part is that with every step she takes her shoes light up. I had to look up how this can happen and read that in the sole of the shoe is a LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulb that is activated by a small button-style battery. An electric current is generated when pressure is applied by the foot stepping down and the bright illumination is created. Watching this young girl worship the Lord with abandon got me thinking about how we are to be Christ's light to the world.
 
Psalm 89:15 says, "Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness. For You are their glory and strength, and by Your favor You exalt our horn." We can acclaim the Lord by shining His light to others. Christians have a responsibility to do this through our kindness, peace, and joy. How we walk demonstrates the goodness of God.
 
God ordained that the people of Israel would be a light to all the other nations. Isaiah 60 talks about the glory of Zion. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you, and His glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." (Isaiah 60:1-3) We, as Believers in Christ and by virtue of our connection to the forefathers of our faith, carry the light of God. Wherever we step we should emanate a brightness and light that attracts others to us. When Jesus came to earth, He told the people of Israel, "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)
 
God's plan for sending Jesus to earth is expressed in John 12:46. "I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness." When Jesus was delivering His Sermon on the Mount, He gave those who listened to Him keys to living a blessed life. He defined us as being salt and light and said this about carrying His light: "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." (Matthew 5:14-16)
 
Psalm 119:105 explains how to walk in the light of the Lord. It says, "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Our dedication to the Word of God is what will help us stay on the right path. In verse 59 of the same Psalm the writer tells us, "I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to Your statutes." As we keep in step with the Spirit of the Living God, we will be shining His light for others to see and delighting the Lord with our walk.