Turn On the Light of Christ
Monday, September 1, 2025 by Melissa McLaughlin

By Melissa McLaughlin

Turn On the Light

The sun ducked below the horizon. Evening stars twinkled in the darkening sky. Our house grew dim.

My husband turned on the light that hangs over our kitchen table. The room brightened, easing our efforts as we prepared dinner and set the table.

Once seated, we noticed one of the three bulbs in the kitchen light had burned out. Later that night, my husband replaced the dead bulb, but the light still would not turn on. I tested some other bulbs to make sure our replacement bulbs were still good. To no avail.

We both sighed. We’d have to call an electrician to repair the faulty light socket.

Maybe there were bigger issues on the household to-do list. Or other bills to pay first. But we kept forgetting to call the electrician.

A few weeks later, my husband was working at the kitchen table. Suddenly, he noticed a short chain dangling from the center of the light fixture. He pulled the chain, and the third light bulb lit up!

We had been so busy fiddling with the light switch on the wall and the bulbs in the light that we both overlooked the slender chain hanging from the center of the light fixture, which allowed it to light one, two, or three bulbs.

Laughter bubbled up.

My husband grinned. “Can you imagine if we had called the electrician to repair this light? And he discovered someone had pulled the chain at the center, which turned off one of the bulbs?”

For days, we laughed about this incredible oversight. We also chuckled at the thought of calling an electrician for this.

Turn on the Light of Christ

When we think of Christ, we know He is the light of the world. Brighter than 10,000 bulbs.

John 8:12 (ESV) - Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

However, sometimes we haven’t availed ourselves of the fullness of His light.

We may become caught up in daily responsibilities at work, with family, or even at church. We might let TV or phones consume our time, while our Bibles stay closed.

We’re operating with only two out of three bulbs of light. His radiance within us is diminished.

Jesus longs for us to draw near. He calls us away to rest with Him. He cleanses and restores our souls as we read His Word. The Holy Spirit fills us afresh with the love, joy, and mercy of Christ as we meet with Him in stillness, prayer, and songs of worship.

Prayer

Father of lights, we pray you illuminate our hearts anew with Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Shine your searchlight into our lives. Expose the hidden places where darkness has muted Your indwelling Spirit and light. Lord, you are a consuming fire. Light us up with your holy flames! Burn away the dross and refine us into purest gold that reflects Christ’s divinely glowing image. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What helps you stay fully connected to Christ?

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) - “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

P.S. Have you read my new award-winning book, The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible? If not, I hope you’ll check it out! It comes with a free downloadable Small Group Study Guide. Makes a great book for small groups or Sunday School classes. Available at Amazon and other major retailers.

Comments

Yvonne Morgan From Oklahoma At 9/7/2025 2:53:42 PM

This really made me think especially after our time in missions when we didn’t have electricity. Evenings were so dark and we were thankful for any light. We need to be that light in the world.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Thank you for sharing your missions experience, Yvonne. That is such a wonderful example. My family and I had a similar experience on a short-term mission trip to Haiti. Light is such a gift. May Christ's light shine through us.

Karen Friday From TN At 9/7/2025 10:47:28 AM

So beautiful, Melissa. Love this idea of turning on the light of Christ. When we relentlessly seek God, it radically transforms us. And the enemy knows it. So he uses the world’s distractions to keep us from God. God bless!

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Powerful words, Karen. Wow. May we hunger more for God's light than the shiny distractions of the enemy.

Jessica Brodie From SC At 9/6/2025 9:20:50 AM

What a powerful and godly reflection! As you say... sometimes "we’re operating with only two out of three bulbs of light. His radiance within us is diminished." It's important to fully immerse ourselves in the Lord, to fully surrender self over to Him. In this we have true freedom, perfect joy.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

So well said, Jessica! It is our surrender and immersion in the Lord that brings true freedom and joy. May you soak in His presence today!

Patrick McLaughlin From Pottstown, PA At 9/4/2025 2:29:35 PM

Jesus the Light has come into the world but the darkness can NOT overcome it. May we all draw closer to the Light Jesus provides everyday. There is Peace, Joy, Comfort, Protection, Healing, etc. in The Light of Christ!! PS. Going to give that Handyman brother of mine some friendly ribbing ;-)

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Haha! We're still laughing about that ourselves, Pat! Yes, indeed. I love that reminder. The darkness can NOT overcome the light of the world, Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!

Mary Anne Sansom From Slippery Tick, PA At 9/2/2025 7:26:27 PM

Wonderful illustration, Melissa! I love your light bulb story. I know it’s basic, but reading the Bible and praying every day are the things that connect me to the Light. I just love to talk to God throughout the day. Without those two things, I am in the dark.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Beautifully spoken, Mary Anne! The wonderful thing is: God works through the basics! We just need to seek Him in His Word and through prayer. Like a loving Father, He longs to connect and commune with us. And His light shines on us as we do. And by the way, we are still laughing about the light bulb story! God bless you!

Melissa Henderson From Mount Pleasant SC At 9/2/2025 9:54:22 AM

Amen. Shine the light of Christ. :-) Your experience with the lightbulb sounds like something Alan and I would do. haha! Have a blessed week dear friend.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Melissa, you made me smile! Our lightbulb story does remind me of a story you and Alan might share! Thank you for being the light of Christ for me and so many others. Lifting you in prayer, dear friend. Blessings!

Warren From Pennsylvania At 9/2/2025 9:53:52 AM

John 3:19-21 New International Version 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

That is a powerful verse. May we always love the light of Christ and allow Him to expose any darkness within. Shine, Jesus, shine, in and through us!

Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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