Warehouse Blues

Imagine if you were set loose in a huge warehouse where wonderful riches and treasures were said to be hidden among the other goods stored there and you could keep any treasures you found. The only problem is that the huge warehouse is completely dark; pitch black.

You might begin your treasure hunt with enthusiasm; groping clumsily around for a while and maybe even come up with a planned systematic approach and have a little success. But you eventually become frustrated, especially when you realize that the really valuable treasures are very well hidden and the warehouse is very large and filled with many distracting contents and obstacles.

Finally, after getting sufficiently banged up from falling from high places and bumping into sharp objects, discouragement sets in. You eventually find one or two of the most common treasures, enough to get by, but you will not keep looking hard forever. Your heart grows tired and angry over time and you become resolved that you have done the best you can and quit. You hear stories about other people who have found treasure but secretly it is a mystery to you.

This is how most people approach life; by trying to get life’s treasures by groping in the dark. They eventually find a little something to keep them going but it never completely satisfies their heart. It always feels like there must be more to life but most people cannot really seem to find it.

The secret to the warehouse is to first seek the light switch. This is a completely different kind of hunt than going directly for the treasure but when you find the light switch you also find the treasure. The light switch is harder to find because you have to take your heart off of the treasure and put it on the light. In addition, you know that when you find the switch, the light will illuminate not only the treasures but everything else as well. The light creates responsibility.

When the light comes on you see yourself and the rest of the world, not the way you thought you looked but how you really look, dirty and needy. You now become responsible to keep the light on and you cannot pretend to be in the secretive darkness anymore. Yes, you do get access to the treasures you desired but they do not hold the same fascination anymore because the warehouse is such a mess and you are now in the light. Some people turn the light back off because they do not want the responsibility, others pretend to still be in the darkness and a few use the light to help others find the light switch.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew5:14-16

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:4-5

"That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." John 1:9

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."John 3:19-21

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:10-12

"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of theworld." John 9:5

"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." John 12:46