My mind is still flickering away with thoughts of the Light of Christmas, and that may be because my outdoor Christmas lights gave me such an indelible picture of the essential nature of the Light within me. I had decorated the wrought iron fencing surrounding the entrance to my condominium with a strand of lighted greenery, punctuated at each post with a festive red and gold bow. For weeks I had been enjoying those cheerful lights brightening up the darkness until I drove into my driveway one windy evening to the sight of a whole darkened section of my Christmas greenery.

God knows how I hate challenges of an electrical or technical nature! In the past, those bothersome issues were passed on to my engineer husband who was very adept at problem solving. Admittedly, I was spoiled. Now singleness has brought with it opportunities to be strengthened – in mind and body! That’s what God told me was happening when I complained.

After checking the ground and the instructions, I set about the tedious task of replacing the tiny little fuses in the plug. Fortunately, my first responder, my son John, dropped in and after a 20 second analysis said the problem was a missing bulb. One tiny bulb! I quickly found another, pushed it into the little socket and stood amazed as the whole strand lit up again.

That lesson wasn’t lost on me. I was reminded of how essential my little light is to the people with whom I’m connected. By being plugged into the source, I can brighten up a whole community. And, likewise, for the woman with a husband and family, the vitality of the light within her is strategic to the life of her husband and children. In a spiritual sense, the power Source is Jesus. He said the way to flourish is to abide in Him, His love, and in His Word; then we’ll be energized to light up the lives of others. (John 15:1-17)

In the rush of deadlines and obligations, not to mention the winds of change and challenge, I can so easily get unplugged, disconnected from intimacy with my life’s Source and from the relationships nearest and dearest to me. But those dozens of darkened lights adjacent to the empty socket of my Christmas lights were a poignant reminder that my going AWOL is not just my loss, but also that of a whole string of others who need the light within me. We were made for community. Light is for sharing.

If the winds of life have dimmed your Light, may I suggest you get connected to one of our Cry of the Hidden Heart classes? It is our delight to watch a flickering bulb shining brightly again as God’s word pushes away the darkness. Classes are now forming for the spring semester. For more information check our website www.hiddenheartministry.org.

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let is shine!

This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine!

This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine!

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

‘Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna’ let it shine!

‘Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna’ let it shine!

‘Won’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna’ let it shine!

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.