Obstructions of life, are they hiding your view?
Do they overshadow and cover the truth?
Is your light now shining? By connection it will!
Don’t let it be hidden, but placed on a hill.
A lamp so displayed simply can’t be ignored;
A lighthouse in darkness, thus placed by the Lord.
If that light’s not shining, the connection’s not there,
All hindered and blocked by obstructions we wear.
But striving to shine will not do us much good,
We must give a warning of impending flood!
A vital communion will link us to Christ,
Then from the hill glorious, we’ll shine in the night.
– Kari Matthews
This poem was based on the following words from the chapter “The Beatitudes” (p. 41), in the book Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, by Ellen White:
But Jesus did not bid the disciples, “Strive to make your light shine;” He said, ” Let it shine.” If Christ is dwelling in the heart, it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence. If those who profess to be followers of Christ are not the light of the world, it is because the vital power has left them; if they have no light to give, it is because they have no connection with the Source of light.
In all ages the “Spirit of Christ which was in them” (1 Peter 1:11) has made God’s true children the light of the people of their generation. Joseph was a light bearer in Egypt. In his purity and benevolence and filial love he represented Christ in the midst of a nation of idolaters. While the Israelites were on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land, the true-hearted among them were a light to the surrounding nations. Through them God was revealed to the world. From Daniel and his companions in Babylon, and from Mordecai in Persia, bright beams of light shone out amid the darkness of the kingly courts. In like manner the disciples of Christ are set as light bearers on the way to heaven; through them the Father’s mercy and goodness are made manifest to a world enshrouded in the darkness of misapprehension of God. By seeing their good works, others are led to glorify the Father who is above; for it is made manifest that there is a God on the throne of the universe whose character is worthy of praise and imitation. The divine love glowing in the heart, the Christlike harmony manifested in the life, are as a glimpse of heaven granted to men of the world, that they may appreciate its excellence.
