Be a Bent Lamppost

A couple weeks ago, as I drove to work I noticed this lamppost at a local gas station. I wasn't in the best location while stopped at the light to take a photo, and I hoped they wouldn't fix the lamppost before I had a chance to get the shot. I might have even prayed that it wouldn't be. Okay, I did pray it wouldn't be. Thankfully the next week, I was in the right spot for a photo. I rolled down my window and took it.

Why? Well, when I saw that lamppost the first time I heard God speak to me. I heard Him say, "be like a bent lamppost."

You might think I questioned why, but I know instantly. See I have driven by this same lamppost for years and I have never noticed it. In it's upright position I simply took it for granted. But in this obviously, a-car-hit-me-hard position I saw it for what it was. I saw that even bent over and barely clinging to its base it was still shinning. Not only that but look how the grass is lit up. Look at how wide and bright the light is. It's not even all in the photo. God told me in that moment that the bent and bruised and broken of us can still shine His Light. Our struggles make others take notice of us. He can shine through a upright lamppost, but unless you need it, you ignore it. He can shine so much brighter and wider when we are bent.

The below photo I took today, and I'll admit it's not great. I wasn't in the right spot and it was misting so I didn't want to roll down the window. But I knew today was the day to write this post, and I needed this photo to do it.

This is the replacement lamppost. Notice it is standing upright and shinning its light. But look at the ground under it. It is not nearly as bright as with its bent predecessor. Not only is it not as bright, its range is much smaller. Standing there lighting the parking lot and no one, except me, probably even notices it.

God wants to shine His Light through our lives. He will use the upright among us and some people will be able to see Him from them. But He really wants to use the bent among us. His Light is so much brighter and wider, and people can't help but notice us. They'll be amazed that we can still shine, just as I was amazed that the lamppost could still shine in its condition.

Let Him use you to shine through. Let Him take your brokenness and show His beautiful Light to others. Let Him spread the Light wide as you wait to be repaired. It isn't easy to go through the struggles we do. It feels like we are barely clinging on. But let others see the struggle and ultimately see His Light.