A Thousand Dots of Light

<p>You wouldn&rsquo;t think anyone would be excited about going to a place called Dismals Canyon to watch gnats. Yet this forest in northwestern Alabama attracts a number of tourists each year, many in May and June when the gnat larvae hatch and become glowworms. At night, these glowworms cast a brilliant blue luminescence, and thousands of them together create a breathtaking light.</p> <p>In a way, the apostle Paul writes about believers in Christ as glowworms. He explains that &ldquo;you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord&rdquo; (Ephesians 5:8). But sometimes we wonder how &ldquo;this little light of mine&rdquo; can make a difference. Paul suggests it isn&rsquo;t just a solo act. He calls us &ldquo;children of light&rdquo; (v. 8) and explains that we &ldquo;share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:12). Being light in the world is a collective effort, the work of the body of Christ, the work of the church. Paul reinforces this with the picture of us &ldquo;glowworms&rdquo; worshiping together, &ldquo;speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit&rdquo; (Ephesians 5:19).</p> <p>When we get discouraged, thinking our life testimony is just one little dot in a midnight culture of pitch black, we might take assurance from the Bible. We&rsquo;re not alone. Together, as God guides us, we make a difference and glow a brilliant light. It seems that a whole congregation of glowworms might attract a whole lot of interest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>