Flashlight Lessons

Tonight after my Bible class, which is affectionately called "Bible for Dummies", I had the opportunity to walk my fosterson home. He had been in the toddler room playing with a friend whose mother was attending my class. Knowing that it would be dark when it was time to walk home, he had come equipped with a flashlight.

As we started walking together he turned his light on and began to light his way. Within seconds he began to shine his light on all his surrounds, fascinated at home his light lit up surrounding objects.

Just about this time, a car was traveling down our road, and sensing that there could be a problem, I explained that we needed to be careful about where we shine our light so we don't blind others and cause them to lose their sense of direction. Not understanding, I asked him if I could borrow his light for a second. I turned the light off and then a few seconds later quickly turned it on, shinning it in his direction. His immediate reaction was to close his eyes -- blinded by the light.

How many times do we get thrilled about the light that Christ brings to our lives? How many times do we in obedience let "our little light shine" and point others to Jesus? How many times do we get so excited flashing our light, that inadvertently we blind someone who is trying to see?

Lord, help us to know your Light; shine your light into the darkness of our world, and yet have the sensitivity to shine it in order to light the path of others, without blinding them in their journey.