Growing in Light

I recently read Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk. Musk has a vision to start a colony on Mars. He started Space X in order to make reusable rockets and a profitable company that will one day fund human travel to Mars. He started Tesla in order to develop alternative transportation that will be less harmful to our planet. He started Nuralink, which recently planted a chip into a patient’s brain that may one day help paralyzed people move through thought process. He started xAI because he is concerned about the lack of values driving AI companies. He also owns the Boring Company, and he bought Twitter, now X, where he engages with his 164,000,000 followers.

Elon’s brilliance in innovating manufacturing processes and developing profitable companies has made him the richest man in the world; yet, what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? His first son died in infancy, he now has ten children with his ex-wives and girlfriends, many born through surrogacy. He is way overextended, and according to Isaacson, he occasionally goes into “demon mode.”

Elon needs the Lord and he could use a good pastor; however, I’m not writing this to judge him. Even running one of those companies while having ten children is enough to drive most people crazy. He is motivated by big visions, works hard to develop his gifts, and is not afraid to take risks to accomplish his goals. Elon demonstrates the potential people have because we are made in the image of God, whether we acknowledge Him or not.

Are people born great innovators, athletes, scientists or musicians, or do they become great through hard work and access to resources? Are people born with great minds, or do our minds develop as we apply ourselves through study and learning? I believe it takes both a God-given aptitude and a lot of hard work to become great in anything. We all have gifts from God that give us great potential, but we must develop those gifts.

Those who follow Jesus have a great advantage because we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds as we study the Word of God and put it into practice. “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Though our physical stature eventually diminishes, it is possible to grow in wisdom, favor, and understanding all our lives.

“In Jesus is life, and his life is the light of men” (John 1:4). All people are given life by the Lord. The more we grow in Christ, the more light he gives us. The biggest need people have is not better technology, energy sources or rocket ships. Our biggest need is more light from God.

You don’t have to start multiple companies or have millions of social media followers to have a big impact with your life. It’s better to be fruitful than famous. As we follow Jesus we are helping establish God’s Kingdom on earth where people can experience transforming grace and eternal life.

As we age, we decline in physical strength and often in cognitive abilities. However, more than aging, what robs people of their potential is when they stop using their gifts, chose comfort over obedience to God and engage in unconfessed sin. All sin causes our relationship with the Lord to diminish and our light to dim. (Luke 11:34-35). If the light within us is dark, we no longer see clearly and we stumble through life, making mistakes that destroy the fruitfulness of our lives.

It takes discipline to resist temptation and pursue a relationship with God. As we seek and serve the Lord, His life flourishes in us and the light we have becomes brighter. So, seek the Lord my friend and let your light shine. His glory will be your reward.