What kind of Lantern are you?

What kind of lantern are you? Kind of a weird question to ponder on isn't it. You might respond back with "Well what's the purpose of the lantern? What do you mean by using the word 'lantern'?" These are valid responses/questions to bring up, but I pose this question in processing what Jesus says in Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Not going to lie, this makes me think of Kilowag (a Green Lantern member and mentor), teaching Hal Jordan on how to be a GL (Green Lantern) and how to use his ring. Hal joined something that he had no idea what he was doing: how do you fight with light? Jesus is doing the same thing.  In other parts of the Bible it talks about how Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness and exposes things/thoughts for what they are. We are mirrors of Jesus' light in a world that feels/is very dark at times.  But that light only works if we are able to stand out.

I posed the question, what kind of lantern are you? You may have had an image that you are a flash light, a gas lantern, a floating lantern, a Chinese paper lantern, etc.  For me I want to be like the Blue Lanterns.  Blue Lanterns are like GLs, but they are all about hope and are there in the darkest moments: just check out their oath. "In fearful day, in raging night. With strong hearts full, our souls ignite. When all seems lost in the war of light, look to the stars -- for hope burns bright!" It's that oath that makes these lanterns stand out; it makes me want to be that kind of light. When we look at Jesus and have Him in our lives shining in us, it pushes us to be a light to others.  By looking at Jesus and following him, we are a moving light that reflects Him to all who are around us.

So, what kind of lantern are you? Are looking to Jesus and having Him illuminate your life and reflecting His light to those around you? Are you a light that is hanging out in a corner, or are you out there in the "darkness" giving light to others?