doctor's life support

4th February: Light

Jesus said: `I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'. John 8:12

I can almost guarantee that, sometime today, you will need a good light. There is nothing more annoying than to smile cheerfully at a patient, ask her to open her mouth wide and say `Ahh', and then find that the torch which you have produced with a flourish from your pocket, doesn't work! Her throat may be inflamed or healthy, the back of her tongue may or may not have cancer. But if you can't see it you won't know.

Light shows things up for what they are, and this is one of the most compelling of our Lord's meanings when he describes himself as light. At the beginning of John's gospel (Jn 1:5) we read: `The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it'. Of course darkness has never overcome light -- it never could. But it is good to be reminded of the fact. Just as an inflamed swelling and deviated uvula will flash into prominence the moment your torch works, so the Holy Spirit will stir your life with the reminder of something which you ought (or ought not) to have done. But remember, in Christ, diagnosis and cure follow hard on each other's heels. As you remember the fault, admit it to him, ask his forgiveness, and do anything specific which is needed to put it right. To live like this, keeping short accounts with God, is to respond to his light. It is, in fact, to `walk in the light'. To live like this is to have light and life, and to avoid the misery, pitfalls, and timewaste of walking in darkness.

There is a second, very important, area of meaning. Jesus wants to use you today, as his light (Mt 5:14-16). In contrast with your own position, you will meet many people today who prefer darkness (Jn 3:19) (though they would never put it like that!). they would rather not know the uncomfortable truth. But Jesus plans to shine into their hearts and lives. Please make sure your battery and bulb are working well -- and be ready. Show people today, by the way you treat them, that Jesus loves them. If they ask you why you are like this, tell them. Words spoken about Jesus to those who really want to know are a very powerful, very accurate and well focused light.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are light. Keep me on
the right track today, shine in the dark places of my heart
and help me to show your light to other people.

Further reading: 1 Jn 1:1-10. 2 Cor 4:1-7.

JT