Dr. Don Kuehle, United Methodist, Retired
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The church board was in session. The main topic of discussion was what to do about the poor lighting in the sanctuary.
One member offered a solution: “We need a chandelier for the sanctuary.”
“That would be nice,” replied another member, “but what we really need is more light!”
That’s our problem! We need a light that is dependable and true, a light that will last. We’ve lived in darkness too long. And in our attempts to remedy the situation, we’ve put our trust in lights that are not dependable, lights that have deceived us and led us down the wrong way.
The light of Education has given us a vast amount of knowledge; it has not increased our insight and understanding.
The light of Medicine has brought healing to our bodies and minds; it has not been able to heal our broken relationships or our battered spirits, and has been unable to heal our guilt or save us from our sins.
The light of Science and Technology has made life a lot easier for us; they have not, however, solved the problems of hunger, homelessness, hatred and war.
The light of Law was intended to bring order and stability to our lives; instead, the Law has become a burden, and brought us chaos and pain.
The light of Pleasure has deceived us, and brought us only heartache and unhappiness.
The light of Money, instead of being a cure-all for our problems, has merely increased our selfishness and greed.
Every human light has failed us, and has led us down the path to destruction and death. We need a light we can trust! We need a light that will last!
God has come to our rescue! In the beginning, God looked out over the chaos and darkness and spoke a Word: “Let there be light!” And the light shone forth in brilliance and glory. Chaos obeyed the Light and there was order in life. Darkness ran and hid, afraid of the Light.
Then Man said: “I prefer darkness. I will be the master of my own destiny. I want to be able to do what I want to do, when and where I want to do it.” And so began the continuous controversy between the demons of darkness and the legions of light.
In Bethlehem, God spoke the Word again: “Let the True Light shine so that the whole world might see the Way to live, and understand clearly the Truth about life!” Jesus Christ allowed God’s light to guide his thinking and doing, allowed God’s light to shape his life.
The light of His words and his example shone brightly for all to see, and to follow. Chaos retreated. Darkness trembled. Sin fled in fear. Death was crushed.
The Light of God still shines in our world! The powers of Darkness have tried everything possible to put out the Light; they have failed again and again. The Light is too powerful! The Light still shines! The Light will triumph! God has given us what we need most; the Light to guide us through the shadows, Light to defeat the darkness and sin in our selves, Light to help us grow up into the likeness of Christ, Light to lead us safely Home.
“The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide,
We walk in the Light when we follow our Guide.
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Come to the Light! ‘Tis shining for thee!” (Phillip Bliss)
Dr. Don Kuehle, United Methodist, Retired, Jackson, Missouri