When I could not find my cell phone last Friday evening I wasn’t concerned. It was obvious that I left it at the college. It was not until I got to school Monday morning that I discovered it really was lost. It wasn’t there. Most likely you have also had that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when something is lost. Keys, wallets and phones have a way of attaching themselves to us. Upon coming home in the evening we turned up all the lights as bright as possible and there it was. It had been sitting at eye level on top of the china closet all weekend. How could I count the number of times I walked right by it with it just inches from my nose? It wasn’t until the lights were up that it became evident.
It is no wonder Jesus called Himself the Light of the World. We are the lost and we wander around in a philosophical wilderness searching for meaning, wanting our lives to count, seeking peace in a very troubled world, and what we are looking for is right there all the time. If my phone was animated and could speak by itself it would have called out to me each time I passed by, “Hey, I’m right here.”
Jesus is the light. He can shine on us and fill us with meaning and joy. He gives us purpose. He chases away the darkness of our secular society and says, “Before you were born I knew you.” “I have something special only you can do. Trust me and I will take you to it and give you the wisdom and strength to make your life count.” Ah, with Jesus we are lost no more.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 10, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org