I find it fascinating that the phenomenon that has caused the greatest upheaval in physics is the behavior of light. Light acts as both a wave and a particle, light and matter are intimately related through E = MC2, and the speed of light cannot be changed by its environment. Surprisingly, the light that so puzzles science forms the foundation of our faith. The first thing God speaks into existence is light and the last thing we see when we die is a welcoming bright light. God is light. Jesus is the light of the world. We are called to be lights on a hill. Coincidence? I think not.

Yet in our rush to brighten the world with God’s glory, we end up fashioning light sabers and go Jedi on those lost in the darkness. We fail to recognize the power at our fingertips and carelessly focus the Light of the world into a legalistic laser that blinds the very people whose sight we came to restore. We don’t need an elaborate religious lighthouse broadcasting system to spread the Gospel, but rather just a great cloud of witnesses each holding a candle of divine grace. The true light, which enlightens everyone shines most brightly through the jagged cracks of our broken and contrite hearts and not through the blinding rays of an institutionally choreographed light show.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8: 12)