We’re in the throes of renovating the 1960s ranch home that belonged to my husband’s grandparents.

We’ve gutted the kitchen and bathrooms (including the tiniest master bath ever). We’ve knocked down walls to reconfigure the spaces. We were thrilled to discover gorgeous hardwood floors hidden under the thick carpets.

One thought has driven almost every decision I’ve made about the house — we need more light! From taking down the old knotty pine paneling, to removing the upper cabinets in the kitchen, my goal has been to open the space and let as much light flood into the rooms as possible.

Last week one of my tasks was deciding on the lighting fixtures we need. Almost every room will need new lights, and my job was to determine what sort of fixture would be best in each space. From choosing a chandelier to hang over my dining room table to deciding what sort of ambient lighting we’d need in our den, my quest was to make certain there is enough light in every room.

As I was making my lists and comparing prices, Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount came to mind, “You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16 ESV).

I wonder if we are enough light.
Jesus said our light should shine before others. He admonished us to allow our good deeds to bring glory to the Father.

The good deeds He’s calling us to aren’t for our sake but for His. We live out our faith in a manner that is seen, that shines bright – but the glory is all for Him.

Are you producing light? In the darkness of this world with all its sorrow and strife, is the way you live causing others to glorify the Lord?

We know there is a lack of true light in our world. Maybe, though, the call isn’t for us to bemoan the lack but instead to be the ones to act — to do those good works that point toward God.

Just like it will take a combination of natural light, direct lighting and ambient lighting to provide enough light  in our home, so too it takes all of us believers, acting in one accord, praising one name and giving glory to the one true God to provide the light this world desperately needs.