“A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path.” // Psalm 119:105
It happens most years by late January: I feel the darkness of the winter months in my bones. The Church settles back into Ordinary Time; the warmth of the holidays has come and gone. Michigan winters are gray, the air is bitterly cold, and the daylight hours are too few for my soul. I am longing for more light.
Lamps are mentioned in two of the Scripture passages today. When I am reading the Word, sometimes this gets lost in translation to my modern ear. The lamp spoken of here is not the modern house fixture with a bulb and a shade that gets plugged into the wall. No, in Jesus’ days, lamps were lit with oil and involved a flame, burning and shining, bringing both heat and light to a person.
Oh, how we need this lamp: His Word. The Word of the Lord is a gift for each one of us, meant to lead us as we journey in this world, desperate for more of the hope Christ brings.
Rather than hours of sunlight in the day, what I truly desire is more of Him so that I might be equipped to then shine His Word, to brighten the world. It may sound cliché, but truly, when we share the light of God’s Word with others, we kindle the flames of His mercy, His love, His peace. In this new year, how might we allow His Word to go before us as a lamplight, to guide us?
Light a candle today, sister. As you do, proclaim aloud, “A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path. Lead me, Lord, and grant me the grace to follow.” Amen.
Share the light of God’s Word. // @inendlesssongClick to tweet
Elise Howe is a wife, mother, vocal artist, and teacher. She is most joyful when creating with the inspiration of the Divine Artist. Elise hopes to live a life full of authentic beauty—especially through her song, her cut-flower garden, great books, delicious ice cream, and her yes to the Father. A born-and-raised Midwestern gal, she happily resides in Michigan with her husband, son, and two daughters. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire and Blessed Conversations: Misericordia.
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