Being Light

“Everybody has their own way of bringing their light and passion to the table.  Sometimes it’s super heroic and super action-like and sometimes it’s making people laugh or helping people out in your neighborhood. It doesn’t have to be on a massive scale.  What can you do with what’s right in front of you to the best of your ability to make an impact? Maybe it’s a conversation with somebody....... It’s being in tune with yourself where you can say ‘I’m being called to do this’.....  Who knows where that will lead and the ripple effect.”

This quote came from a podcast that I tune into regularly.  It’s one I don’t miss because there are always interesting guests and I often find inspiration and new things to think about.  The podcaster is former “Heartland” actor, producer, writer, photographer Graham Wardle (thank you, Graham, for permission to quote you) and in this episode of his “Time Has Come” podcast he was interviewing another former Heartlander, actress Jessica Amlee (link to the podcast at the bottom of this post).  They covered several fascinating and inspiring topics during the hour long podcast and I had several takeaways as a result, but the idea of “being the light” has resonated with me the past few days. 

Winter here in my neck of the woods is hard because I thrive in long days with lots of hours of light.   It does something to my psyche when it gets to January and we literally have only eight hours of light per day.  If those hours are gray and gloomy, it really does a number on my normally “sunny” outlook.  Light feels so much more hopeful and optimistic.  Needless to say, I’m a summer girl without question. 

So what does light do and why do we need it?  It illuminates.  It shuts out darkness.  It spreads its glow to all the objects (and people) near it.  It helps us see.  It keeps us from stumbling in the dark.  It helps things grow and thrive.  We use it to communicate, navigate, learn and explore. Light is far more than just what we can detect with our eyes. It takes the form of radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. It is our most important source of energy. Sunlight warms us, causes weather patterns, allows plants to manufacture oxygen and our food from carbon dioxide and water. Light impacts human health and performance by controlling the body's circadian system, affecting mood and perception, and by enabling critical chemical reactions in the body (lightexhibit.org). 

I love how Scripture talks about being light.  Who can argue with “You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16)?  I grew up with my mom and grandma teaching me the song, “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let it Shine” – familiar to any of you? 

So what does it look like to “be the light”? I think the first step requires us to be “light-filled”.  Light, which is normally an external source, has to become internal. It’s coming to an understanding of divine truth and love that causes us to want others to share what we’ve discovered.  It has to do with wanting God’s best for every single human on planet earth.  That’s why the quote at the top of this page resonated deeply with me.  Some will do big things, some small, but all of us can be a source of “light” with those we come in contact with. 

I hope, in some small way, maybe even this little writing project of mine can be a place where light shines. It's what I'm feeling called to do. More and more I know in my heart that I want to be a light in a world that so desperately needs it. "What can you do with what's right in front of you to the best of your ability to make an impact?"  Maybe it starts right here.  

Time Has Come Podcast Episode 014:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcxBluVJ6xg&t=491s