How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb? This variation of a well-known joke may make you chuckle. The answer, by the way, is at least 15: one to change the bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.
Improved technology allows us to change light bulbs less often these days. Bulb life is measured in Average Rated Life (ARL) hours, and the old, incandescent bulbs had an ARL of 750-2,000 hours. Compact fluorescent bulbs scored higher with an ARL of 8,000-10,000 hours. Now, LED bulbs can operate 5 times longer with an ARL of 40,000-50,000 hours. One bulb, however, surpasses all of these.
The Centennial Light is the world’s longest running light bulb. As its name suggests, it is well over a hundred years old. It was given to the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department in 1901 and has burned brightly since then. The bulb has burned brightly in the fire station for over a million hours! That means the bulb has remained illuminated throughout 24 presidential inaugurations. A dedicated webcam allows people to view the Centennial Light at any time.
We can admire the Centennial Light not merely as a marvel but also as an example for our lives. We too are called to continuously shine, but we do so with the light of Christ. The bulbs of believers do not always remain illuminated, which is why Jesus urged His followers, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
This world craves light. David wrote, “Many are asking, ‘Who can show us anything good?’ Let the light of your face shine on us, LORD” (Psalm 4:6). People remain in darkness on their own, however. In Proverbs we read, “The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:19).
Christian, your light is needed. How is your light shining for Christ? When people look at your life, do they see good works that brightly illuminate the goodness of God? The light that we shine originates not from us but from God. Paul explained,
“For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
The more you immerse yourself in the “light of knowledge” as revealed in Jesus, the more you are equipped to continuously shine for the Lord.
How will you let your light shine?
Undiluted Faith 