Mississippi comedian Jerry Clower told about the country church which contemplated installing a chandelier. Many proponents stood up and spoke for the motion in the business meeting. Finally, one older farmer who had been waiting his turn summed up his feelings, “I am against it for three reasons: First, we don’t have anyone who can spell it, so how would we order it? Second, if we brought it here, nobody is even qualified to play it. And finally, what we really need around here is more light!” At least his third reason was right! We all need more light.
In his letters to the Galatians, Ephesians and Colossians, Paul strongly contrasted the deeds of darkness with life in the Spirit. People of the light expose deeds of darkness by our very presence. Instead of railing at the darkness, we simply live as the light. Light offends us when we are trying to sleep. Sometimes light blinds us with its glare. But light often offers our only hope of really waking up!
Our family sat together in a dark restaurant recently. Unfortunately I forgot my reading glasses. I lamented my inability to read when someone suggested I use my phone to see the menu. I turned on the spotlight and it was so bright that my family tried to get me to turn it off, making jokes about being in the dentist’s chair. But when the light was on, I could read the menu and order, even without my glasses.
Christians are not just trying to make a bad world good. Having been raised to life ourselves, we are trying to wake the dead. So Paul quotes an early hymn, “Wake up O sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.” Like Ezekiel we look at the valley of dry bones and preach trying to bring them to life. After we have done all we can do, then we call upon God to breathe life into our friends by his Spirit. In the light of Christ’s love, we all come to life.