I’m not sure about you, but I’m not a huge fan of the dark. I guess it’s the uncertainty of what is out there and the lack of vision. I can get myself worked up better than just about anyone when it comes to noises in the dark. My dogs typically need to go out to use the restroom for their last time of the night around 10:00 p.m. While I have lights on the backside of my house, of course they want to venture off to areas that aren’t lit up. So, I do what any modern person would do, and I turn on my cellphone flashlight.
Now, imagine this same scenario listed above. However, when I go to turn on my cellphone light, I take an object and cover up the hole where the light exits the phone. How crazy would it be for me to have a light and then purposefully choose to cover up the illumination? First, it would actually be more work trying to cover the exposed light. Second, it would be defeating the entire purpose of the light itself.
In Mark 4, Jesus begins to teach the people using parables. A simple definition of a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. He is using practical things that they see or experience every day and are using those to describe spiritual issues. In this chapter, He uses soil conditions, light, growing seeds, and mustard seeds to all give them spiritual guidance. Regarding light he says,
“Then Jesus asked them, ‘Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.’” Mark 4:21-22
Many Christians today seem to remain hidden from sight. Our lights are dim or not shining at all to a lost and dying world. How much light is our lives giving off for Christ? If a lamp doesn’t help people see, is it worth much? What kind of baskets are we using to “cover up” our faith and dim our impact? Maybe we are covering up our faith with complacency. We have grown comfortable in our faith and our light has dimmed. We could also be covering our faith with worldly comfort, busyness, worldly priorities, stubbornness, or disobedience. Whatever “basket” we are allowing to cover up our light is impacting our effectiveness for the Kingdom. Ask God to help you identify what things are causing your light to be dimmed. Be a bright light for His Kingdom and change this dark world.
This devotional was written by Amy Carrico of Making the Moments Matter. Click HERE to follow her on Facebook!
Last Updated on August 29, 2025
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