Switch On the Lamp: Finding Spiritual Significance in a Simple Practice

Not all light is created equal. Walking into our friends’ apartment, five floors above our own and identical in nearly every way, it wasn’t the light I noticed first.

First, I noticed how I felt. My creased brow relaxed, and my tightened shoulders dropped in relief. What I saw was an invitation to come and be. Curtains hung by the windows, floor to ceiling fabric adding warmth to a view of city lights and traffic jams. Within the room, warm lamplight bathed the scene of welcoming friends and platters piled with food. The overhead fluorescent lights, the ones we used in our own apartment every day, remained off the entire evening.

There was no denying it. The lamplight in our friends’ home stirred something far different and better in my soul, and I wanted it for myself.

Safety in the Circle of Light

Two homes and many years later, I’ve remembered the calm, welcoming effect of lamplight and collected several lamps of my own to use in our space. In winter when the sun sets early, candles and lamps now create a cozy cocoon of light.

Inside our homes, we find safety from the darkness and the unknowns dwelling in the shadows. The glow reminds me of the true light, the one that “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5 ESV). Until Jesus returns, darkness has its place in this world. But for those who stay close to the source of light, “the true light, which enlightens everyone,” there is safety (John 1:9 ESV). Loneliness, fear, and anxiety are cast out in the presence of Jesus. Life in his name grants us security so that we may sit in his glow, look out into the darkness, and not give way to fear of the unknown.

Life in his name grants us security so that we may sit in his glow, look out into the darkness, and not give way to fear of the unknown. #jesusislight Click To Tweet

When I switch on a lamp in my living room, I haven’t destroyed the darkness. It is still there outside my window and in the corners and shadows, but curling up next to the light, I am reminded that darkness has no hold over me anymore. This is the power of God in my life—to make anything that loves the darkness run in terror at the brightness of his glory.

Unlike my living room lamp which goes dark when I turn it off, the light of God dwells within those who put their faith in Jesus. It remains with us wherever we go—into the darkest of depths and up to the sunniest of hilltops.

Light Gathers Community

People are naturally drawn to the light. Groups huddle around bonfires or set out on a cold night to feast their eyes on twinkling Christmas lights. We stare at a dark sky watching fireworks sparkle and shine. Sunrises, sunsets, a candle’s flame, and a lamp’s glow—all these sources of light are pointing back to the one true light of the world.

And as we flock toward the light, we find ourselves coming closer to one another. We bump elbows with our neighbors, faces lifted to bask in the rays. This is a picture of the Church meeting together to commune in the light. We draw strength from God, our life-giving source, like a plant draws energy from the sun, before we disperse back to our corners of the community reflecting the Son to those who don’t know him.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.”

1 John 1:7 ESV

Only the Light We Need

On a good day, I rise before the rest of the household, pad downstairs, pour a cup of coffee, and turn on a single lamp near my desk. One lamp is all I need to light the pages of my Bible and give me focus for the task of communing with God.

If I turned on more lights than my one lamp, several things would happen. First, with the whole room lit up, I would see and become distracted by scattered toys and waiting chores. Secondly, my children would inevitably see the slivers of light beneath their doors and take it as a signal to emerge from their rooms. And thirdly, and maybe most importantly, my senses would be overwhelmed. I wake up slowly (and often unwillingly), but when I switch on the lamp, I see only what I need for my morning moment.

In a spiritual sense, we often want to see the big picture all at once. We want to turn on the floodlights, take in all the knowledge, understand all the “whys,” and clearly see where we’re headed. Instead, sanctification takes place bit by bit, day by day. This is why we are taught to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11 ESV). We aren’t told to ask for a lifetime’s worth of supplies. We rely on God to sustain us today trusting he will show up tomorrow with that day’s provision as well.

We want to turn on the floodlights, take in all the knowledge, understand all the “whys,” and clearly see where we’re headed. Instead, sanctification takes place bit by bit, day by day. #sanctification Click To Tweet

Then it’s also not a surprise that Scripture is referred to as the “lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ESV). We see our feet and a few steps ahead, but on a dark night, we may not see much else.

A Light to My Path

For the past few months, I’ve tried and failed to set goals in several areas of life. I’m squinting into the darkness trying to make sense of it and wanting to make plans for traversing the rocky ground. Instead, all I can make out is today. This week, month, and the rest of the year appear only as a shadowy outline in my mind.

Maybe you feel this way about your career, a relationship, or a dream you’re working toward. We wait for long-term clarity to take shape but only see the feet beneath us in the current moment.

Armed with Scripture and the presence of God as my light, I refocus my eyes on the work he reveals for me today. No one can see into tomorrow other than God himself. I don’t know where my life will ultimately lead, but in the meantime, I can focus on the work put before me today.

Switch on a Lamp

The next time the evening dusk gathers outside your window, switch on a lamp, and remember God’s promises. The Lord is our safety and security (1 John 5:18). He is in our presence when believers gather together in his name (Matthew 18:20). And his word is a light for the path at our feet (Psalm 119:105).

May the soft glow of a lamp remind you of all the riches you have been given in Christ.

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If you’re looking for more inspirational articles about the intersection of heart and home, check out these posts:

1. When you want to be a Mary (instead of a Martha) but life is overwhelming
2. Becoming a Biblical Homemaker: A Gospel Perspective of Home
3. Heart and home: fostering peace by welcoming the presence of God

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