Are You Shining Your Light for Others?

This morning, on my way to the DMV to renew my driver’s license, I found myself driving through steady rain in the early hours of the day. The sky was still dim, visibility was low, and traffic felt heavier than it should have been. As I crept along, trying to be cautious, a car passed near me without its headlights on. For a moment, it nearly caused an accident. I felt my frustration rise at the traffic, at the rain, and especially at what I thought was careless driving. I even caught myself thinking that the DMV should probably revoke the licenses of people who drive like this.

Then, somewhere between irritation and anxiety, an unexpected epiphany settled in.

That driver may have felt they could see just fine. From their perspective, headlights might have seemed unnecessary. But headlights are not only about helping you see. They are about helping others see you. In low light, those beams are a gift to everyone else on the road. Suddenly, my frustration turned into reflection.

In Isaiah 42:1–9, God speaks of the servant who is chosen and beloved, one who will bring justice gently and faithfully. This servant is called to be a light to the nations, opening eyes and setting captives free. The light described here is not self serving or showy. It is purposeful. It is given for the sake of others.

When we turn to Matthew 3:13–17, we see Jesus stepping into the waters of baptism. The heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and God’s voice declares, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Before Jesus preaches a sermon or performs a miracle, his identity is affirmed. He is named, claimed, and sent.

Our baptism echoes that moment.

In baptism, we are united with Christ, named and claimed as God’s beloved children. But baptism is not only about what happens to us. It is about what happens through us. We are baptized not just to receive light, but to bear it. To shine, not for our own visibility or validation, but so that others might see clearly, find hope, and avoid harm.

Like that driver without headlights, we can sometimes think our faith is private, personal, and sufficient just for us. I can see fine. I know where I am going. But the Christian life was never meant to be navigated alone or in the dark. Our light matters because it helps others on the road, those walking through grief, confusion, fear, or uncertainty.

Here is the grace filled truth. While the DMV can revoke a license when someone fails to drive responsibly, God does not revoke grace from us when we fail to shine our light as we should. God’s voice at Jesus’ baptism comes before perfection, before achievement, before the road is driven without mistakes. Grace is not taken away when we forget to turn on our lights. Instead, grace calls us back, again and again, to live into who we already are.

Isaiah reminds us that God’s servant does not break a bruised reed or quench a dimly burning wick. Even a small light matters. Even a flicker can make a difference.

So today, amid the rain and traffic of everyday life, perhaps the question before us is simple but searching. How well does your light shine? Not for yourself, but for the sake of the world God so dearly loves.

May we remember our baptism, live in the Spirit, and turn on the lights.