STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

““[Jesus] said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’” ”

— Mark 4: 21–23

LIGHT

When something is brought to light, it is out in the open—available for us to examine, consider, and make an honest judgment. Darkness hides. Light reveals. Where there is light, there is promise and potential of understanding, wisdom, goodness, honesty, justice, and belief. Where there is light, there is also the possibility of creating new relationships, perspectives, and paths into the future.

In this chapter our guiding parable from Jesus’s teaching about God’s Kingdom, deals with our handling of the light. What do you do with the light in your life—your wisdom, understanding, etc.? Do you share it? Do you use these gifts in service of others? Do you seek the higher purposes and meaning of life such as justice and truth? Or do you hide these things?

That is a silly thought, isn’t it? Hide a lamp under a bushel. Who does that? What good is a lamp if it is hidden? A hidden lamp serves no useful purpose. Why would a sane person but a bushel over a light? At the least, it is a fire hazard; it seems like a waste.

Unless, of course, you want to keep a secret—hide something in the dark that you want no one else to see or know. An uncomfortable truth, perhaps? Is it a bit of information that, if it got out, might taint relationships or have a negative impact on our reputation? Fear motivates deception, secrecy, cover-up, and turning off the proverbial light. The stakes can be high.

Recently, in the news, many secrets have been revealed that have destroyed the reputations of politicians, actors, producers, etc. Tales of sexual harassment, impropriety, and criminal activity have come to light and folks are scrambling to resign, defend, and control the damage. They thought that they could hide their actions in the shadows. But alas, the light has a way of always shining through.

Perhaps that is a bit dramatic for our everyday lives. Still, I’m guessing that we each have a secret or two that we would just as soon keep tucked under a bushel. Maybe it is not so much a secret about our behavior as it is prejudice or bias that we hold in our hearts? What won’t you say aloud but instead mutter within? Is it grief or disappointment that you keep and suffer in silence?

The backyard parables in this chapter are designed to inspire some thoughts around how we respond to the light and truth of the gospel in our everyday living. From fire tables to Tiki torches, my parables will seek the wisdom that is found in the place where light pushes against the darkness and clears away the shadows.

Where there is light there is also heat, so we will also spend some time at one of my favorite backyard places—the grill. In all, I will be seeking the courage to pursue truth and the passion that ignites response. I will also wonder about how light can set the stage for life-giving conversations and create uncommon community.

So, are you game? Do you happen to have a match? Let’s light this up!

STEP THREE: PRAY

Gracious God,

lighten the dark places of my spirit with your love. Push back my dark disturbing fears with the reassurance of your presence and love. Let your light shine through my being so that I might reflect you to others.

Through Jesus Christ, amen.