There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
- John 1:6-13
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
- Psalm 89:15
Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the Lord.
- Isaiah 2:5
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
- John 12:35-36
“I started to ask her about [a girl’s club at the YMCA that Conny had tried to start with little success] when we were interrupted by a man walking toward our hill. Conny squinted her eyes into the sun and then shouted, “It is William Nagenda!”
“What a joy it was to meet that dear African saint again. I never met an African with whom I could laugh so much and yet learn so much at the same time.
“After we exchanged greetings William said, ‘When I saw you sitting here together a question came to my mind, “Do they walk in the light together?”’ We answered almost simultaneously. ‘Oh yes, we do walk in the light together. We are a team.’
“Just at that moment a boy from the house called that there was a telephone message for me. I excused myself while Conny and William remained behind to talk.
“Conny was sitting in a cane and wicker chair while William squatted on his haunches beside the path, his brown knees poking up beside his face.
“ ‘I have something to confess to you,’ Conny said to William.
“ ‘And what is that?’ he answered gently.
“ ‘Your question gripped my heart. I must tell you that I do not really walk in the light with Tante Corrie.
“William’s face broke into a wide grin and his eyes began to sparkle. ‘So, that is why God had me ask that strange question.’
“Conny was serious. ‘Tante Corrie is so much more mature than I,’ she continued. ‘She has walked with Jesus for so many years. She has suffered much for Him in many ways. Thus when I see things in her life that are not right, I hesitate to speak them out to her.’
“ ‘Oh,’ William said, startled. ‘That is not right. The Lord wants you to be very honest with Tante Corrie. That is one reason He has put you with her. Since she is walking in the light then when you also walk in the light, you will help shed light for her path as well as yours.’
“That night, after we had gone to our room together, Conny sat on the side of the bed and said, ‘Tante Corrie, this is very difficult for me to say, but I now realize I must walk in the light.’
“I turned and looked at her. Her face was drawn and solemn. One by one she began listing the things in my life which bothered her-the things I did which she did not believe glorified God. It was not easy for me to hear the things which I had done wrong—things which had caused a shadow to come in Conny’s heart. But how wonderful it was that Conny was being completely honest with me. I apologized for the things she had listed and then thanked her for bringing them into the light. ‘Let us always walk in the light together,” I said seriously. …”
- Corrie ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord
Historical note: William Nagenda (1912-1973) was a prominent Ugandan evangelist and revivalist.
Corrie ten Boom then prepared to leave Uganda and go back to their nomad lifestyle. She packed three suitcases. One went by boat to Holland where it would be stored. One was full of things that she would give to the poor in Rio; their next destination was Brazil. The third would be a small travel case that would be her clothing for the trip. Note: Tante Corrie had taken a Sabbath Year while Conny focused on missions in Uganda and the surrounding nations. They had been at the retreat in Uganda for over a year, having more provisions than they normally would while travelling light.
Tante Corrie then moved to Conny’s room and did the same thing. Conny said nothing. When they got to Rio, Conny sat down with Tante Corrie and said that if she had packed her own bags, she would have made different choices than what Tante Corrie had done. Oops! Tante Corrie had done it again, out of habit.
They prayed and cleared the air between each other, and Tante Corrie continued to check with Conny for her input, especially checking to see if she had crossed a line in their relationship. This repaired relationship remained that way until Conny got married and retired from the constant travelling of an evangelist.
Corrie ten Boom meant well. She knew what needed doing, so she did it, but she had an adult assistant who was there to do more than just carry and hand out tracts. Conny’s failure with the girl’s club may have been partially due to the ineffectiveness of her relationship with Tante Corrie. Conny’s growth as a leader was stunted by Tante Corrie’s take-charge attitude. God had given Tante Corrie a mission, and she focused on that solely. Now, she had learned to consult her partner, instead of telling her underling what to do.
But this story provided light to the phrase “walking in the light.” On the surface, we need to walk in the light so that we do not stumble when in the shadows of life. But in this case, “walking in the light” was being used to illuminate in someone else how a relationship had been harmed, unintentionally.
We are called to be the Light of the World, but really Jesus is the Light of the World, and we just reflect His light to others. In evangelism, we share our testimony and the Gospel so that others might come to Jesus Christ. But among believers, we shed the Light so that each of the brothers and sisters in Christ that we meet are strengthened by us, and us strengthened by them.
Maybe a good analogy is the Light that Jesus wishes us to walk in is a lantern as opposed to a flashlight. With a flashlight, you have a focused light in one place. When you are holding the flashlight, you can use it to walk safely in the darkness. When we hold a lantern, we can see, and others around us can see.
But you only have a flashlight? God has not developed within you a lantern yet? Don’t worry. I saw a hack on a television show. The guy strapped his flashlight to shine into a gallon jug of water. The light was dimmed, but it spread in all directions as the entire gallon of water was illuminated. But where do you get the jug of water?
Maybe quit asking for the lantern or the jug of water and get creative. God’s light is only limited by our faith and our attitude. Think positively and God will guide the way.
Lord, strengthen me. Help me to back off when I take charge. Help us to always look at those around us and see how Your light through us can make their light reflecting You to be stronger and brighter. We need the light to not stumble, but in us gaining that light, we can help others to not stumble also. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley 
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