When I was a young man, a friend of ours brought a musket for us to observe. He showed me and my brother how to load it. When he fired the musket there was first a flash in the pan and then an explosion. The small quick flash of burning powder ignited the powder in the main chamber resulting in the gun being fired.
I was pondering the “flash in the pan” idea which may captivate our attention for a moment—a burst of brilliance quickly swallowed by the dark. Like early muskets that sparked brightly but sometimes failed to fire, such momentary flashes are full of potential but lack substance. By contrast, the streams of light from the sun or stars are constant and can be used to guide us through the darkness of night.
In our world today, we need Christians who embody this steady light—rescue workers, field workers, janitors, pastors, school teachers, Bible translators, and more. These roles often are not glamorous, nor do they very often provide moments of great brilliance. But like the sun rising each day or the stars popping out at night, their impact comes from consistency, from being a source of light in dark places. Not flashes that quickly fade, but steady, dependable beams that draw others to Christ.
Jesus called His followers to be the light of the world, saying, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). This is not the kind of light that winks out after a momentary burst; it is a call to be persistent in goodness, shining daily by living near to the Father and reflecting that light through acts of service, compassion, and love.
The apostle Paul urges believers to “not grow weary while doing good” (Galatians 6:9), and encourages us to not grow faint. Like the stars that illuminate the night, even when the world around us is bleak, we are called to shine steadily—providing hope and direction for those who are lost or struggling. In a world that celebrates flashes of fame and momentary success, it is the faithful and steady who truly make a lasting impact.
Whether we are serving in a distant mission field or teaching in a small classroom, every gentle act of service can be a stream of light in the darkness. Our consistency in showing love and truth, even in the simplest of tasks, is like the sun and stars' continuous streams of light.
May we strive to be those steady streams of light—faithful, constant, and guiding others toward and into the Kingdom of Light. For as Jesus reminds us, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). It is through His light that we can remain steadfast and help others find their way.
In this life, let us reject the fleeting brightness of a “flash in the pan” and embrace the steady “streams of light” way of living that brings true and lasting hope to the world.
— Harold R. Troyer