I opened the box in the hallway.

The box sat in the hallway for two weeks.  After the first few days, even my most curious child stopped asking when I would open it.  We all got used to the box that didn’t belong.  It became familiar.  We walked around it, but didn’t talk about it.

The box had lamps in it.  The lamps now shine throughout the house.  One shines in the foyer, illuminating the hallway.  The box that cluttered the hallway and caused me to stumble is gone.  Walking through the hallway is easier.  The box held something that now makes the path through the hallway clearer and brighter.

What if we open the “boxes” in our lives?  We stop avoiding them.  We stop pretending they aren’t there.  We do something with the “boxes” and unpack what’s inside. 

We might find that when we deal with the “boxes”, our lives become better and more meaningful; our purpose clearer.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.  If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?  I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!  Keep open house; be generous with your lives.  By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.     

                                       Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message Bible)