TURN UP THE LIGHT

I’ve worn glasses since the second grade so I’m keenly aware of factors effecting sight. As time passes no one’s vision is improving. It’s obvious certain factors add to and take away from our ability to see clearly. Light is critical to sight. Dim lighting hampers our vision and brighter light brings clarity. If you’ve ever pulled out your phone to see a menu in a restaurant, you know what I’m talking about. Light is critical in seeing what is going on in our daily lives.

Current events also expose the need to turn up the light. Light reveals while darkness hides. Last year a person in Nashville went on a killing spree in a Christian school murdering children and adults. This person wrote out their plans and reasoning to explain their actions so others would clearly see and understand. The powers that be in Nashville have kept this manifesto hidden from the light of day until portions leaked out a few weeks ago. A friend of mine is a television journalist and he questioned what good it served to shine the light into such a painful event for the family of the murderer. I remember a time when journalists believed in exposing truth. Light exposes truth and truth is what life is all about.

I worked on Wall Street for 30 years and I can tell you it’s a dark place. The Bible teaches that ‘everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.’ I can still remember the day I learned insider trading was legal for Congressmen and Senators but you and I would go to jail for the same behavior. This knowledge quickly illuminated why politicians would never pass term limits and they left office wealthy even when they were paid a meager salary.

More light into Wall Street reveals what started as a way to finance capitalism and grow wealth has become a systemic racket. When you buy a stock you spend money. When you sell a stock you receive money. On Wall Street, there are dark pools of money that can sell all day long without ever owning what they sell. This is widely known on the Street as naked short selling. Therefore, if you’re part of the machine that hides in this dimly lit activity money pours like water from a faucet. Journalists and regulators keep this practice dimly lit as well. Wonder why?

When we talk about shining the light of truth into an area where people live, work and profit, we might question what stops the light from exposing the truth? The answer is as plain as the restaurant menu when you shine your phone on it…evil people. “‘…men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear his deeds will be exposed.'” John 3:19-20.

Why are the deeds of some people in politics, Wall Street and even Main Street evil? The answer is simple but not popular. The LOVE of money causes some to hide their activities or stay in office until they’re unable or unfit to serve. I am NOT slamming money as evil but the ‘love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.’ 1 Timothy 6:10. This verse is a reminder that EVERYONE including Christians are susceptible to wandering from the light into the darkness.

Jesus emphatically claimed “‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” Therefore, Christians have the light but are we shining our light? Part of the answer is found in the book of Ephesians. ‘Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.’ Christ reminds HIS people, we are called to shine the light of truth into darkness.

Do YOU speak up when you see evil? Is a Christian doctor called to expose the fallacy of masks in preventing C-19…should Bible believing journalists push for the release of the Nashville killer’s manifesto…are there believers on Wall Street to shine truth on and regulate illegal trading activities?

Do Christ-followers live out their faith each day or is our light being hidden? Jesus emphatically said “‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl….In the same way, let your light shine before others…and glorify your Father in heaven.'” Matthew 5:14-16. I’m not saying Christians are called to hold everyone accountable but we ARE called to speak truth into every situation.

As 2023 draws to a close it appears as though the light is fading and the world is becoming more dimly lit. More time won’t expose truth, only the light inside Christ followers can do this. Has our light exposed what happened in Ukraine this past year? Have we exposed the truth behind the conflict in the Middle East? Has there been any light into the trail of money and weapons GIVEN to Iran, the caliphate in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and numerous other countries?

Too many Christians are obsessed with current events foretelling the return of Christ instead of living out what Christ commanded. He said to simply tell and train others in His way. The writer of Romans added ‘And do this , understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now…The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.’

Whoever you are and wherever you work and live the message is as plain as a well lit menu. ‘Put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.’ In other words. WAKE UP AND TURN UP THE LIGHT!!