Some would call it a revelation. Others would call it an epiphany. Still others would be more down to earth and call what happened this week “a light bulb went off.”
In this case it was all of that and more.
It was headlights.
After our team rehearsal on Thursday night, while everyone was getting into their cars to head home, I took a slight detour out to the new Nativity scene on the front lawn of the church. It was time to update the photo on our Facebook page and what could be better at this time of year? Except it was too dark. There were spotlights and streetlights at a distance, but not enough to highlight the characters at the manger. “Eh, maybe I’ll come back on a sunny day…oh, what-the-heck, let’s give it a shot.” And as perhaps all the angels in heaven had a good laugh watching, just as I focused in and was about to click, a car with those super-bright, usually annoying headlights pulling out of the parking lot “just so happened” to ever-so-briefly shed its bright beam on the Nativity as it drove out into the world.
Perfect!
And that was cool, and that was that. Until two days later when the revelation-ephiphany-light bulb really hit home. In the early morning, when all was just as dark as it was on Thursday night, I “just so happened” to be reading from Psalm 67 to get some fuel and grounding for the day ahead. And it was here that the headlights-on-the-nativity became more than just a random happening in the middle of the week…
...At the end of each Sunday morning worship gathering, our pastor sends us out by praying what is known as the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 (aka, “The Blessing”) over us. While the words become familiar to the ears, they never get old. And then he drives it and us all home by adding, “Bring that Light out there!”
I had no idea that a similar blessing was sitting right there in Psalm 67—one that summarizes everything within our pastor’s message, and that shed a revelation-epiphany-light bulb on the headlights in the manger two nights earlier…
“May God pour His blessings into us
And turn His face to shine His light on us
[insert drum roll here]
So all those on earth will learn to follow Your way
And see Your saving power come to redeem all nations.”—Psalm 67:1-2
If ever I had any doubts, it answered the question of “why do I go to church, anyway?” once and for all. I was reminded that I come to get decluttered from the weights of life and this world and to see once more with the eyes of heaven. I come not for religion but for what some might call a “radical” way of life. I come not to try to become perfect but to follow that Child in the manger who grew to become the Light of the world, Who made a way to forgiveness and healing and an abundant, everlasting life when there seemed to be no way (try as I might). And I come not to hog it to myself, to selfishly be blessed and then go on my merry way.
I come to be like those headlights—to focus on what truly matters and then not leave it behind but carry it out the driveway and into the world around me on all the other days of the week. To “bring that light out there” in word, deed, attitude, conversation, compassion, kindness, encouragement, prayer to “all those on earth” who are on my daily path. To remember, in the words of author Jeff Deyo:
"Worship is life. Every breath. Every word. Every thought. Every deed. In public. In private. Everything. Everywhere..."
“He’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.”
—Micah 6:8, Message
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