Stepping on Legos
Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer
Not long ago at our church Pastor David Montgomery was preaching on the salt and light verses in Matthew 5. Among his many other talents, Pastor Dave makes use of apt illustrations. In this case he was talking about stepping on things in the dark. Then he said that Lego makes slippers especially designed for households with the high probability of encountering a Lego block on the floor. I expect that is a good seller for the company as Legos are popular, even for adults, right now. Maybe I should add several pairs to my Christmas shopping list for various family members who are at risk of a Lego encounter.
The important point Pastor Dave was making, though, was that light reveals what darkness hides. Jesus, in Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that we are to be “the light of the world” so that the people around us can see “your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” As we seek to imitate the Master we cannot help but be light to our world as He is (John 8:12).
But there is a funny thing about light, while all light dispels darkness all lights are not equal, and placement matters whether the light is weak or powerful. Jesus makes this point in Matthew 5 when he says, “A town built 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” (Matt. 5:14b-15). The light to the world we are to be is not intended to be tentative or timid but powerful and revealing.
So, when we are doing our job properly as lights to the world, we are going to reveal what is around us, both the good and the evil. And what is revealed needs to be understood as well as seen. First, we need to discern what is revealed for ourselves, and second, again imitating the Lord, help others understand what they see in so far as we can by sharing the gospel. Paul understood this principle very well as he states in 1 Corinthians 8:19-23. He says that his aim is to “win as many as possible…for the sake of the gospel.” In Romans 1:14-17 he says, “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed.”
How do we discern what the light reveals? Here are two excellent ways to ensure we know good from evil and see the truth rather than the lie. First, be familiar with the truth by knowing as much as possible about the Scriptures. Read and meditate on the Word of God. Be able to access it at a moment’s notice (memorization is a great tool to employ here). And, possibly the most important tool of all—apply it to your life by doing even more than knowing. Second, pray for discernment (Phil. 1:9-10; James 1:5; 1 John 4:1). In the Old Testament King Solomon prays, at the beginning of his reign, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9). We may not be called on to rule a great nation, but we are called on to represent the King of kings who ultimately rules all nations, so I think Solomon’s prayer is appropriate for us as well.
Here is a prayer written by Thomas à Kempis (1379-1471) you may find helpful in asking for discernment:[1]
Grant me, O Lord,
to know that which ought to be known,
to love that which ought to be loved,
to praise that which pleases you,
to esteem that which is precious to you,
to blame that which is evil in your eyes.
Give me wisdom and discernment
to differentiate what is good from what only appears to be good,
and above all to be always seeking after your will and your good pleasure.
Amen.
(Photo credit: R. A. Stites, moon at sunset, Pea Ridge, Arkansas)
[1] Taken from Every Moment Holy, Volume III: The Work of the People by Douglas Kaine McKelvey (Rabbit Room Press, 2023).
