Christian Living

---

My wife is a wonderful gardener. In fact, she is the gardener. My theory is that if God didn’t intend us to have weeds, they wouldn’t be so prolific and healthy. And persistent. I also believe that a garden is not a garden without at least one pair of plastic pink flamingos.

Lynda has dotted the yard with cute little ceramic critters. There are frogs in swings hanging from the dogwood, little children sitting on windowsills reading books, tiny clay bees nestled in the lilies, and at least one sign that says, “I tried; it died.” It’s all done very tastefully.

One item we particularly like is a sylphic woman cradling a large globe in her arms. It looks nice in the day time, but it’s at night that it really shines. Literally.

If it gets a certain amount of light in the day time, the batteries recharge and it glows all night. This glow is enough to direct people to the path that leads to our door. During the day, this little woman is not very distinct from the other inhabitants of our yard. She serves no particular purpose but to help add visual interest to our little world. Her real value is found in the darkness. However, her usefulness comes not from within herself, but from the light that she soaks up during the day. The less light our lady receives, the less able she is to light the way, and the less distinguishable she is from everyone else.

You and I live in a world where we are all pretty much alike. There is little that distinguishes one person from another. Well, that’s not totally true. Some of us are unusually rich, some unusually poor. Some are handsome, some less attractive. One has fame, another labors in obscurity. We are red and yellow, black and white. However, when the lights go out, we are indistinguishable.

Jesus, who himself was the Light of the world (John 9:5), told his followers that they, too, were lights in the world (Matthew 5:14–16). The world dwells in the darkness of sin and confusion (1 John 2:9–11), but the followers of Christ walk in the light (John 8:12). However, that light does not come from us; it is the result of time spent with the Lord.

Just like the little lady with the globe, the more time we spend in the light, the more our batteries are charged, and the more we can shine when we walk through this dark world. Without the light of a life lived in and for Christ, we are ineffective. We are no different than anyone else. We may have our unique abilities, positions, possessions, titles, and toys, but if we can’t lead a person to the door of heaven, all our deeds and decorations are as useless as a dead battery.

God is the Master Gardener. He has set everyone in the world as he has pleased. But it’s only his saints that have the ability to shine in the darkness; however, we must stay in the light in order to shine in the darkness. God has given us many lamps to light our way: His word (Psalm 119:105); His Son (John 9:5); Himself (Psalm 27:1); and other believers (Proverbs 13:9). The more time we spend in the light, the brighter we can shine. The brighter we shine, the more God is glorified. The more God is glorified, the lighter shines the path to His door, and many more there may be that enter in thereby.

Are you The Light in Your Garden?

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE