Sunday, February 6, 2011

The Three Way Bulb


You are the light of the world.  (Mt 5:14)

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I have one of those three-way bulbs in one of my lights at home.

With a few turns, it goes from 100 watts, to 200 watts, to 300 watts.

I never use the 300-watt setting.  Heck, even the 200-watt setting feels like a small step from the sun.

As such, I often feel as though I'm wasting the power of that bulb.  After all, it was made to shine.  Brightly.  

It was built to illuminate.  To guide.  To take that powerful core and extend its radiant light to everything within its reach.

And instead, it is only being used to a mere third of its potential. 

I hope that's not what God feels like when he looks down on us ...

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Jesus, please help us to not just be lights, but extra-bright lights in this world full of darkness - to be visible examples of your Father's love and good works.


God Bless.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Michael,
Another great analogy. As one who prefers dimmer lights, I pray that I am not one spiritually.
God bless.

none said...

Hi Michael, as I read your post, I am reflecting on my greatest potential (and I feel we all have different callings.) Thanks for this thoughtful prompt!
With God, anything is possible. :-)

Anonymous said...

Great image and analogy. There are some brief moments when I suppose I shine on 'full blast' but most of the time, well. Perhaps it's time to crank it up.
Andie

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Great post Michael, as always. Thanx.

I'm interested in the bulb you talk of. I don't think I've seen one with variable wattage.

God bless.

Mary N. said...

You have a way with words, Michael! Loved this :)

Mary N. said...

I just noticed Victor's comment. They don't have 3 ways in the UK? I guess we are kind of spoiled ;)

Victor S E Moubarak said...

I found 3 way light bulbs on Amazon USA and other USA websites. But NOT on Amazon UK or UK suppliers. I wonder if I purchased from the US whether they would work here. It's difficult to find 100 watt bulbs nowadays ... we're all supposed to save the planet and we fall down the stairs in bad lighting!

God bless.

Anne said...

Love this Michael!

Daily Grace said...

I just LOVE this Michael!

Michael said...

Karinann/Andie - I wonder the same things. I keep hoping I'm not one of those solar nightlights!

Jade - Amen to that! One of my biggest fears is not living up to the potential God gave me ... and disappointing Him.

Victor/Mary - you guys make me laugh. Victor - three-way bulbs are (were?) pretty common here in the States, although they are more commonly lower wattage (ie, 25-50-75). Perhaps they are a dying breed with these new "greener" spiral bulbs.

Anne/DG - thank you for your kind words.

God Bless all of you!