Let Your Light Shine Day 8
The light of the just gives joy,
but the lamp of the wicked goes out. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a wish fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13: 9 & 12
When I help other people, I feel good. When I smile at other people, I feel good. When I say kind and supportive words to other people, I feel good. “The light of the just gives joy…” This verse beautifully explains what so many of us have experienced in our most altruistic moments: the joy of being morally good.
The joy is given by the light. It does not come from some grandiose action. “Light” as we have seen in other verses, is energy, warmth, love. When we bring the energy of goodness to ourselves and those around us, we spread joy. That is what we need now more than ever. As the global crisis escalates, we need to bring our light to each moment and situation so that we can spread joy.
“But the lamp of the wicked goes out.” The word “wicked” has so many connotations to it. It was even the title of a very successful Broadway musical. However, one of the Webster’s dictionary definitions aptly applies to what we see happening in our world today, “causing or likely to cause harm, distress, or trouble.” The media seems to be sensationalizing the destruction caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The never-ending updates makes the situation even more distressing or wicked to viewers. The words “light” and “lamp” in this passage are symbols of life and prosperity according to Biblical scholars. Focussing on the “wicked” aspects of this pandemic has the potential to snuff out our life-hope. I am absolutely not saying that the media is causing the pandemic! However, I do believe that the intense focus on this distressing situation is starting to wear on people so much that their “lamp” may go out.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Webster’s dictionary describes “deferred” as something, “withheld until a stated time.” I think this is critical for us to hear now. If we are withholding our hope until another time, maybe when coronavirus is cured, then we are literally making our hearts sick. “But a wish fulfilled is a tree of life.” Biblical scholars say that the symbol “tree of life” is a sign of food and health. This Proverb is urging us to make wishes and pursue dreams because it is good for our health! We cannot put our hopes and our dreams on hold during this pandemic. We need to bring our light to each day, spreading joy and hope, so that we can help in some small way to restore health to our world. Waiting in misery until this situation ends is not going to help anyone, especially not ourselves.
And so, I hope that you will pray with me today:
“Holy Spirit, fill me with the energy of your light, love, and warmth. Inspire me with hope in a new dream for myself and the world today. Let the light of my hopes and dreams bring joy to me, so that I can spread joy to everyone around me. Amen.”