Fireflies
by Kristi Williams-Fontenot
One of my favorite memories as a child is being outside at night and seeing the fireflies light up! As an adult I can still remember catching fireflies on those hot Louisiana summer nights. My best friend and I would try to catch as many as we could with hopes of filling our pickle jar. It was always neat to catch them and peek through our fingers to see them lighting up in our hands. Even now when I see them it brings me back to a place of joy. Catching fireflies is one of the many things I loved about living in the country!
While a firefly’s fire gives light to see, it also draws other fireflies closer to them. In the same way, God has given each of us a light. It isn’t something we possess on our own, but given to us by the Holy Spirit to be a “light of the world”. It is that light that will draw people closer to us, but more importantly draw people closer to Christ!
So, how do we go about being a light to the world? As our walk with Christ grows, we begin to produce the fruit of the spirit. Those fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As we become more like Christ our lives become a reflection of who He is and in turn draws people closer to Him. Scripture tells us that the world will know we are His by our fruit! You see, being a light doesn’t require much work. It simply requires a love for the One who gives us the light.
Just like a firefly gives light to things around it, so will our light give light to those around us. Did you know that a jar full of fireflies can put off enough light that you would be able to read? It’s truly amazing that those little insects produce something so powerful! In the same way God has given us something so powerful! Can you just imagine what a difference we can make when we all use the gifts God has given us be a light to a dark world!
Ask God to show you what your gifts are (we all possess them) and how He wants you to use them! James 1:5 tells us that if we ask for wisdom, God will give it generously! If we allow it, the light within us will shine so bright it cannot help but point others towards God!