“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” (Matthew 5:15). We can all understand more or less the responsibility that we have to let our own personal lights shine out for the benefit of others and the glory of God. But what about our responsibility to each other in helping our brothers and sisters to let their light shine? When someone we know is attempting to exercise their talents and let their light shine, do we try to be the bushel and cover up their light with boos and shouts of derision? Or do we try to be the candlestick for them, helping to hold them up and sustain them as they let their light shine for all to see? When Moses held up his staff as a light and a strength to the armies of Israel, Aaron and Joshua were there to hold up his arms and be the candlestick so that his light could shine out the brighter. If there is room enough for us to hold up our own light, then there is room enough to hold up the light of someone else. And not just one. Instead of a single candlestick, we can be a whole candelabra or chandelier, holding up dozens or even hundreds of lights. Our light is not diminished but enhanced when we do all that we can to sustain and support and hold up the light of those around us. I know that Jesus rejoices when He sees our light shining, and He also rejoices when He sees our efforts to draw out the light of all of those around us.
