Million Candle Watts

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. – Philippians 2:14-15

It is an undeniable fact that the world is a messy place to live. There is no way to escape he pain, trouble, and strife that come along with living in a fallen world. So when Paul suggests that we “do everything without complaining and arguing” and live “clean, innocent lives” it sounds like an impossible feat.

It is important to note here that Paul didn’t ask the Philippians to be perfect. One of the biggest lies of the enemy is that we as Christians have to be perfect in order to share our faith with others. We let ourselves believe that non-believers will not accept Christ if we don’t have our own lives perfectly together – which is absolutely inaccurate, as looking like our lives are perfect usually turns away non-believers, who are hoping that God still loves them despite their shortcomings.

My brother works for the local fire department, and once demonstrated his million-candle-watt flashlight at a family bonfire. Fire fighters use these high-powered flashlights to be able to see through smoke and darkness when fighting fires. Whereas a normal flashlight can shed light on an area a couple of feet away, a million-candle-watt light can illuminate up to a distance of 30 feet. Even if the glass in the flashlight were to be covered in a layer of grime from the smoke, it would still shine brighter than any household flashlight.  

When Paul calls us to be “bright lights in [the] world,” he wants us to have intentions that are pure and childlike, but we don’t have to be perfect for that light to shine. Just like the flashlights, we can be a beacon to those around us.

We feel like our lives aren’t clean enough to shine – but God’s power can shine right through all of our dirt and grime.