When the forward thinking Benjamin Franklin decided to interest the people of Philadelphia in street lighting he was faced with a dilemma. While his visionary mind immediately recognized the value of well lite streets, many of his neighbors felt it was unnecessary. Rather than complaining, he rather chose to hang a beautiful lantern on the end of a long bracket attached to the front of his house. He kept the glass brightly polished and carefully lit the wick each evening at the approach of dusk. Anyone walking on the dark street could see this light from a long way off and came under its warm glow.
It wasn’t long before Franklin’s neighbors began placing lamps outside their homes, Soon the entire city realized the value of street lighting and followed his example with enthusiasm.
The same motivation works for the Church today, and Paul’s words in Philippians 2 apply to every believer. The world is more affected by what we say and do when we set a good example first.
Some of us are the only Christ followers in the place where we work. Others stand alone as believers in our homes or classrooms. We are simply called to shine our light in the way we live and act, ultimately it is God who will dispel the darkness, and others will be attracted to the light.
