Enjoy the journey on a path illuminated by God

The Christmas lights are glimmering throughout neighborhoods, parks and businesses, drawing out "oohs" and "ahs" from children and those willing to release their inner child.

One of my favorite Christmas decorations are luminarias. There is just something spectacular about the simplicity of a weighted brown paper sack and the golden glow from the light within. Luminarias are simple in design but serve to welcome guests by illuminating their path, helping them to arrive at their intended destination with joy, expectation, celebration and safety.

The ancient words of sacred scripture use the imagery of light to speak to many issues addressing the human soul. One such verse is Proverbs 4:18: "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day."

The righteous in this example are those who travel the path of life in a way that reflects God's mark and movement and character in their lives.

Having an illuminated path is so important. Ask anyone how important light is after they just stubbed or broke a toe in the middle of the night by crashing into something they could not see. This proverb shares that just as a luminaria lights the path for safe travel in wintertime, so, too, God desires that his children apply his righteousness to light the path they are traveling.

God is not only interested in the destination but in the process. Often, the process can be more painful and in some instances more rewarding than the actual destination.

I have had the privilege of going on several hiking trips. I've discovered, especially hiking with children, that the path itself is not a challenge. The challenge rests in the process of moving down the path. Each hiker carefully and intentionally moves step by step over ruts and logs, climbing up hills and descending into valleys eventually arriving at their intended destination. This proverb reminds us that applied righteousness -- not arrogance or intolerant hypocrisy -- illuminates the path so that the ruts, logs and hills are still there, but more easily seen and navigated.

Enjoy the light, enjoy the journey. Allow God's light to shine through you to illuminate the path.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson. Read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com.