I was sitting at the piano before church during worship practice and I looked to the side. There was this one little spotlight sitting in the corner all by itself. This one light, just a small part of the lighting system in our church shined. This singular light got me thinking about how we are like that light. We are just one part of the entirety that is the church the body of Christ, the light of the world. Singular though we may seem when looked at directly or on our own, we are actually connected. We are a fraction, just one small piece of the whole.

Not only are we a part, one part of a whole, but our section or part is important. We are needed in our place. God has a mission for all of us laity and clergy alike. We have a place and a unique calling. This is our place and our way to shine. Here’s what I mean. The singular light that I’m looking at shows green and red while other lights have different colors or color combinations, other lights have different locations in the sanctuary and around the building, and they even have different levels of brightness. This speaks to the uniqueness that God has created in us, in our purpose as we shine our unique light. We are not the other lights; we are the one that he created us to be. So, we need to shine as God made us. Don’t worry about being what others are or who they think you should be.

I’ll go one step further and say that the light designer not only set the brightness and the color of the lights, but he also chose the placement. It’s no different than what God has done for each and every single one of us. Where he’s placed us in time and where he’s placed us in geography. It was intentional. The scripture “go ye into all the world, preach the gospel to every creature, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.” Correctly translated it means as you are going you are to do those things. As you are going you shine. From the place where you are you shine. We operate, move, and minister where God has placed us. We are the hands and feet of Jesus in the place that he has set us. Sometimes in the place that he sends us to. God may move us in life to go other places but it’s always his plan that has placed us where we need to be. He meant you to be where you are now. I know it’s easy to question God about why he has placed you where he has. Why here God? Why now? It’s really simple. You have been placed and equipped according to his plan. It says in Psalms 33:11 “the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Proverbs 16 verse 3 goes even further to say” commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.”

So, we know God has a plan and his plan is the one that happens. God is our light director. Do you see it? He plans the placement for each light/life he brings into the world, and he has a purpose for each light/life that he brings into the world. As it says in Proverbs 16 verse 9” the heart of man plans his way, but the lord establishes his steps.” Knowing this, what should our response be to our father, our master, our light director if you will? What is our response in light of knowing that it’s him who establishes our plan, who places us, and who equips us? 

First, we trust. This is probably the hardest step.” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6) Trust in God’s plan and trust in his care of you. As it says in Romans 8:28 “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Trust his hand to place you where you need to be and his heart of love and grace to preserve and sustain you.

Secondly, it is our task or our job to stay connected to him. A system only works if it is connected to the other parts. The lights are all linked together at my church. Though the light streams may go in different directions, may show different colors or patterns, they are working towards the same purpose which is beautiful illumination within the church building. They are all needed. There is not one that is more important than the other for the full effect. This is the same with us, we are all needed. We may not understand the big picture because of our limited vision or view but we are very much connected to each other as fellow believers and we need to be. We need to be connected and work together and with each other not against each other. We are not trying to outshine each other or be more important than another. No, instead it is our role to fulfill our part and our mission together. We shine God’s light thereby building his Kingdom together. Not only do we link to each other, but we need to stay connected to the source. We only shine when we’re connected to Christ, just like the light. A light will not shine unless it’s connected to a power source. So, we stay connected to Christ who is empowering us and each other-our entire system or body shining God’s love together, connected both the Christ and each other illuminating this Dark World.

That’s really all there is to it. We trust, connect to each other and the source, and we shine. We stay connected and we endure together. When we do that the body of Christ is operating as it was called to operate. Many parts, uniquely purposed, yet working together to love by giving, going, serving, encouraging, teaching, and ultimately building up the Kingdom of God. We are working together to bring about fullness and completeness in the Kingdom of God. It all starts with one small light, lots of small lights. Becoming a beacon when they shine together, a lighthouse for wayward travelers. Each part vital and equally important.

How beautiful and unique is God’s vision and plan. How humbling to get to be a part of it, and to get to be a singular light in his grand light show. What a mystery! A God who changes things through things so small and insignificant to everyone else, yet not to him. Can you see it? Do you like me want to be a part of this amazing body of Christ, the amazing, connected network of lights shining in the darkness of the world around us. I challenge you-shine as God made you, where he placed you, connected to him and to each other. Shine with me. Let’s light up the world.