sharing our light and our darkness

Today we read from Luke 8:4-21 in the One Year Bible. Jesus tells us about seeds falling on good and bad soil. And He tells us that everyone who does the will of the Father is His mother and sister and brother. But the part where He tells us that we should shine our lights is what jumped out at me.

He calls each of us to share our light. And your light is, among other things, the understanding that He has given you about Him. Each of us see Him and grasp Him in a slightly different way. And when we share that light, we all grow in our understanding of what He is like.

He calls you to share your light - but He doesn't call you to share it the same way He calls me to share it. Some of us are called to write songs about our light. Some of us are called to teach classes. Some are called to write books. Some might find themselves called to paint scenes that show their light. Seek Him, and ask... He will show you how to share your light.

But one thing we should also realize is that we're called to share our darkness. If all I see from the people around me is their faith, it can sometimes make me think I'm the only one who struggles with doubt. If everyone is only kind and loving around me all of the time, I might think only I feel angry and resentful sometimes. So it's important to share your doubt, and your fears, with those you trust (not with everyone, because some might use your doubts and fears against you), so that they might grow from learning how you move from doubt to faith, from fear to love. So when you remember to share your light... don't forget to share your darkness, too.

God, thank You for calling us to share our light... please show us how.