Introduction
There are times when the world in which we live feels chaotic, and many of us may feel the urge to escape into peaceful solitude. However, how much better to resist the urge to run, and instead to stay in the midst of the chaos, shining like a light with the hope, truth and clarity of the good news Jesus proclaimed.
Context
As the interview drew to an end and all eight discs had been aired, with Ella Fitzgerald chosen as his favourite, David Beckham requested a cook book as reading matter and his England caps as his luxury item for life on a desert island.
The guest on the 75th anniversary edition of BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs spoke candidly about his childhood, life with Victoria and that fight with Alex Ferguson. Beckham also admitted that he would look forward to the solitude of island life. And, quite possibly, the peace and quiet of a desert island is something we might all crave from time-to-time: Ella Fitzgerald playing gently in the background, a much-loved book to read, and a luxury item to enjoy, as we relax alone in the sunshine – idyllic!
Reflection
However, the reality for most of us is that we live in a world that is fast-paced, full of complexities and highly connected to others. It is difficult to read the news this week and not feel perplexed by the speed at which things are shifting: Brexit, Trump’s travel ban, and the mosque shooting in Canada – they all point to a world that seems to be changing almost hour-by-hour. Yet, this is the world into which disciples of Christ in 2017 find themselves, and this is the reality into which we are charged to shine.
In the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus explains to his disciples that they are the light of the world (Matthew 5.14-16). As followers of the same risen Christ, we too are the light of the world – our messy, noisy, changing, fast moving world. We are required to shine our light, to live out visibly the good news of the gospel. In fact, it is our very interconnectedness in this complex world that allows us to be the light to others, to witness to the gospel through word and action, and to share the good news with those around us who probably feel just as bewildered by the headlines as we do.
Although, like David Beckham, we may crave the solitude of the desert island, how much better to be bearers of hope in this world – particularly in a week full of such chaotic headlines. On a deserted island there are no others to shine for. In fact, it is by staying connected, and living in the middle of our community, that we have the opportunity to shine; and in doing so, to share the faith we have, so that those around us may also give glory to God.
Prayer
For this time of reflective prayer, it might be helpful to give visual illustrations of the idea of shining like a light. For example:
- You may wish to use an image by the artist Bruce Munro as you pray. He specialises in huge, immersive light installations. If you are using a picture of one of Munro’s works encourage people to look at the lights and enjoy the beautiful image that many lights shining together creates. http://www.brucemunro.co.uk/
- Alternatively, you could gather together five or six lamps and place them in a line, or on a table, at the front of the worship space. As you pray, turn them on one-by-one, inviting people to reflect on the way that each light increases the illumination of the space.
- If you are able, you could provide each participant with a candle or a tea light. As you move through the time of pray invite people to come forwards, to light their candle and to place it in a designated area. The intensity of the light will grow as more and more candles are added.
As you focus on light use the following words.
Pause after each line to allow for time to reflect on the call we have to let our light shine.
We pray that we would be a light in our world.
We pray that our light would shine brightly, and not be hidden.
We pray that as bearer of God’s hope, we would become a light in dark places.
We pray that our light would shine before others.
We pray that our light will give glory to God the Father.
Amen.
Questions
- What are the practicalities of letting your light shine?
- Can you give an example of someone who is a shining light?
Action
Actively look for two ways in which you can shine this week. Perhaps you could donate food to a food bank, pop in to see an elderly neighbour or bake someone a cake. Or…
Young people
If discipleship is hidden then, like the light under a basket, it is pointless. Gather together as many torches of different shapes and sizes as you can find – try to make sure that there are at least as many torches as young people. Before the group arrives, hide them all round the room. Once the young people have assembled, dim the lights and ask people to find the torches – but not to switch them on yet. Once all of the torches have been found, ask people to cluster together with all of the torches and, on a count of three, to switch them on. It should have a dramatic effect. Discuss the necessity of ‘shining your light’, and what this means as a disciple of Jesus. Suggest that the effect of seeing a disciple of Christ live out their faith can be as illuminating and dramatic as the torches in the darkness.
Fiona Dorman trained as a secondary English teacher. She is a freelance writer, is currently doing a MA in theology at Trinity College, Bristol and attends an Anglican church in North Bristol.
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