In his book It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It (New York, Random House, 1989), Robert Fulghum tells about his last day in a college class. When the professor asked if there were any final questions, Fulghum jokingly asked the teacher, "What is the meaning of life?"
The professor responded by pulling out a small round piece of mirror he had found shattered on the road as a small boy. The professor proceeded to explain how he used to delight in shining its reflective light into dark places where the sun would never shine-in deep holes and crevices and dark closets. It became a game for him to get light into the most inaccessible places he could find.
"I kept the little mirror," the professor explained, "and as I grew up, I would take it out in idle moments and continue the challenge of the game. As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child's game but also a metaphor for what I might do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of light. But light-truth, understanding, and knowledge-is there and it will only shine in many dark places as I reflect it."
And then in rather philosophical terms he said, "I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world-into the [darkest] places in the hearts of [people]-and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life.”
That is the meaning and calling of our lives in Christ, to reflect the light of Christ into all the dark places. As a matter of fact, we are to shine Jesus’ light into the whole world.
We do this by sharing our time to help carry out God’s mission.
We do this by sharing our talent, our spiritual gifts-which can be defined as the place where our passion meets the world’s needs.
We do this by sharing our treasure; our money to help and equip others in carrying out the mission and ministry to which they are called.
In this giving we are reflecting the light of Christ into the world that is all too often a place of darkness.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to reflect your light with the gifts that you gave us, so your light may shine in the dark places of our world. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine! Let it shine! Amen.
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Tim
Reminder that Commitment Sunday Live Stream Worship is November 15 at 8:00, 9:30, & 11:00
