“Let your light
shine brightly, that they may see your good deeds and glorify God." ~ Matthew
5:16
Allow me to introduce myself. In the grand scheme of
things, I’m pretty insignificant; just a tube that contains a chemical
reaction. Small and unassuming, all it takes is a few snaps and a quick shake
to release what’s inside.
Scientists have always
been fascinated by the light produced by fireflies and other creatures. My
history dates back about 50 years when several US patents for glow stick
devices were first issued.
Inside my plastic
casing is a floating glass tube containing hydrogen peroxide surrounded by
fluorescent dye. When you snap me, the internal glass tube breaks which allows
the chemicals to mix. It’s this mixing that causes the glow through
chemiluminescence. And for a short time, a beautiful glow is released.
It’s not so fun to
think about how many times we’ve been snapped and shaken to release the light
inside of us. But don’t pity my “brokenness; it’s the price paid for light to
shine through.
If you’re human, you’ve experienced some form of
“brokenness” in your past too.
Perhaps you have grieved from a broken heart, complicated
situations, loss of health, or relationships. Whether it’s from choices we have
made or circumstances beyond our control, sometimes we find ourselves so
profoundly broken that we don’t know how things could ever be restored. It
feels permanent. And for some it is.
In those moments of desperation, God can use the ugliness
of our pain and weakness for His glory and our good. And like the little glow
stick, out of a fractured heart, His Light shines brightly.
Brokenness makes room for deeper understanding, empathy,
and repentance. Without climbing the mountains, the views at the top wouldn’t
mean as much. By experiencing certain trials in our lives, we gain deeper
empathy for those around us. It is during those hard times that we learn to
lean on God for comfort and healing.
Jesus died and took our brokenness upon Himself. Through
Jesus’ death and resurrection… we became unbroken. And now, we can be a glow
stick for others to see the “Light”!
Let’s go shine this Light as glow sticks that never fade,
loving and serving all our neighbors, as much as we serve ourselves. Embrace,
and look out for, those breaking moments, know your purpose as you shine a
light for others, and have fun along the way. Shine on, shine on!
Lord Almighty, You hear our prayers in sorrow
too deep for words. Your love gives me comfort - Your Word, hope. Take my
brokenness and use it for Your purpose, knowing that Your Light will shine
brilliantly and make me whole. Amen
