“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 

So this moth goes into a podiatrist’s office. The doctor asks the moth, “What seems to be the problem?” The moth says, “Doc, I don’t know where to start. I feel like my whole life has been a waste of time. I’ve been at the same job for twenty years and I just hate it. I can barely summon the strength to drag myself in every day but I have no choice because I am drawn to it like a moth to, well, you know. The idea of doing this job for another year is hard to accept. I’ve grown apart from my wife. Doc, it just eats me up inside. I feel like my entire life is nothing more than a fragile light bulb hanging from an electrical cord.” The podiatrist says to the moth, “You do seem to have a lot of problems, but I’m just a podiatrist. You need to see a therapist, a psychiatrist even. Why did you come to me?”And the moth says, “The light was on.” (Richard Bonine Jr.)  

We are soon entering the season of Epiphany. One of the themes of Epiphany is the theme of light. Throughout this season, daylight will grow more and more each day, at least in North America. At the end of Epiphany we will celebrate the Transfiguration of Our Lord, where Jesus will be transformed into a light like none that has ever been seen on earth. And, of course, Jesus will tell his disciples that he is the light of the world — a light that shines in the darkness — and the darkness cannot overcome that light. 

As we begin 2018, we need more light — we need more light that is Jesus shining in our lives and in the life of our community and world. As people of faith, we are called to bear that light to all people we encounter. That is not just a challenge, it is a calling, as a disciple. I truly believe in the “Moth” principle: that as we bear the light of Christ, people will be drawn to that light – the light that is the light of Christ. 

Pastor Dave