Daily Devotion:

Title: Enlightening

Date: May 16, 2013

After winter, when the roads are sand-free, I pull out my in-line skates, put on my helmet, wrist, elbow and knee guards, and start skating laps around the three-mile loop near my home along the ocean shore.

I like to skate just before sunset. The traffic slows then, because drivers are all watching The Artist paint the sky. Once in a while, if a particular sunset catches my eye, I’ll stop to watch.

One evening after observing, I sped toward home, skating in the near dark. Along a section of straight road, a car came toward me, headlights shining. “Good,” I thought, “I’ll see the road.” But the lights blinded my eyes, my wheels caught in a crack, and I pitched into a ditch. Unhurt, I got up and skated. At a hillcrest a sedan came alongside me, helping me see the road. The driver called out, “I’ll stay beside you for a while to help you see.” It was a half-mile more to my home. Her headlights made all  the difference. 

When we’ve got faith to share, coming at a person headlong, headstrong, beaming our holy headlights into their eyes is likely to blind them, and make them want to ditch us. If instead, when sharing our faith we come alongside helping out, gently illuminating the path ahead, well, that works better for everybody.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, when we uncover Your lovely inner light, help us not blind people’s eyes with our eagerness. Help us walk beside them, lending assistance, while quietly illuminating Your pathway. Amen.

Here’s a Thought: Let your little light shine, but don’t blind people with it.