Points of Light

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

– Isaiah 9:2

Launched on Christmas Day 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) continues to make headlines with the stunning images it captures of hyper-distant galaxies, planets, and stars. NASA announced this past September that the JWST is examining the outskirts of the Milky Way called the Extreme Outer Galaxy, which is more than 58,000 light-years away from the Galactic Center. For comparison, the Milky Way’s galactic center is about 28,000 light-years from Earth.

It can take just a tiny point of light on a JWST mirror to change our notions about the universe. But when there are barriers to the light — such as the atmosphere in the case of traditional terrestrial telescopes — we can miss the big picture or be misled by a distorted image. This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well:

“I am the light of the world,” Jesus proclaims in John 8:12. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

As Christ-followers, our lives should always reflect our Savior’s love in action. But we, too, can face barriers and distortions along the way. For example, the world teaches us to beat the competition, climb the corporate ladder, and keep up with our neighbors. We also need the biggest, the fastest, and the shiniest. And most of all, it’s not bragging if we can back it all up.

Christ has a much different viewpoint: To be first, we must be last. However, it’s long been a human tendency to gaze into the mirror and ponder our warped self-image of importance. But the true message is clear: We are nothing without Jesus, and we can do even less by ourselves. What’s more, it’s when we surrender to God and live out the plans he designed for us at the foundation of the world that we become brilliant points of light that reflect true lives of purpose.

Christ-followers might not make headlines like the JWST, but every day they’re making life-changing differences both big and small by mirroring Jesus through their words and deeds. As we read in Matthew’s gospel:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”