Faith & Insight: We are to shine God’s light

Although we may not recognize him, most of us are familiar with the voice of Tom Bodett. In the late 1980s Bodett was hired by an ad agency to record a series of commercials for a relatively small motel chain. During the recording he ad-libbed the slogan that put Motel 6 in our memories — “We’ll leave the light on for you.”

Motel 6 has used this slogan ever since to sell the idea it will provide a warm, welcome and comfortable home-away-from-home. Wherever you’re going, Motel 6 will leave the light on for you. It wants you to associate it with the idea of light.

I was reminded of this when the other night my son was out for the evening and after I had gone to bed I realized I had forgotten to turn the light on for him. We associate the porch light as a beacon of home and family. It’s that safe place with safe people where we are wanted and welcome. To come home to a dark house is lonesome and sometimes scary. We appreciate the light and it brings us comfort.

In Ephesians 5:8, we are reminded we, too, have a light. Our job is to keep the light on and to shine the light of Christ in this world. It says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

In order for us to shine, we need to be connected to the source of that light. We need to be intentional in our relationship with God and aware of his presence; otherwise, we will be living as children of the light with a dimmer switch turning our light up or down as we see fit. We cannot be light sometimes and dark or dim at other times.

And how do we keep our light on? Ephesians 5:1 says this, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Ask God for the power of the Holy Spirit to help you to be wise. Our light is what defines us. To live as a child of light is to be that homing beacon which shines in the dark. It’s to be a safe place where security and love are found. When we walk in the way of love our light is going to shine. What do you need to do to keep your light on?

Lt. Leslie Cyr is an officer in the Salvation Army at 661 Colorado St. For more information, go to carsoncitysalarmy.org.