Robert Louis Stevenson is one of my favorite writers. As a kid I especially loved “Treasure Island.” As an adult, I see the wisdom and truth of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
Robert Louis Stevenson lived in Scotland during the mid to late 1800's. When he was a child, he noticed one night a man who was walking from lamppost to lamppost. Back in the days before electric lights, the lampposts had to be individually lit by hand.
Robert’s father noticed that his son was intently watching this and he asked the boy why he was so interested in it. I really like his answer. The young boy and future writer said, “I am watching the lamplighter knock holes in the darkness.”
What an interesting statement. Personally, I think that is what we are called to do as well, to “knock holes in the darkness.”
There are so many opportunities all around us, that’s for sure. There are people around us today living in the darkness of fear, guilt, loneliness, hatred, addiction, oppression.
I just believe that we have an opportunity each day to make a difference in some way, to knock holes in the darkness and to shine the light.
Jesus said it like this, “So let your light shine before people that they will see your good works and give thanks to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Let’s look around today . . . and knock some holes in the darkness!