Matthew 5:15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. AMP

Let us focus for a second that the lamp has been lite. We have come to Christ and we have been filled with the light of His glory, not our own. If the lamp is placed under a basket it is an intentional act. It is done for a selfish reason. An open basket facing upward is a sharing opportunity. A downward basket is a hiding position, things which are not shared. That is obvious. So what isn’t so obvious?

If the light is in you and you place the basket over yourself, then the light only shines upon you. The light does not reach others. Let us say for arguments sake that the reason you did it is to bask in the glow of the warmth and life in Christ. You feel you need it. Perhaps you do need it. Perhaps you see this gift from God as a Christmas present and you want to play with it before sharing it with your friends and risk having it broken or stolen.

Silly as that sounds it isn’t unreasonable to see that some who are not yet mature in their faith might do just that. Now let us lift the basket to a level of maturity that comes from the light working in you to bring you to an understanding of who Christ is and what He wishes to do with you. Now you get to “see” what that light illuminates outside yourself. What do you see now?

All the time you have spent basking in the glow people just outside the basket, those closest to you have been wounded and in pain and need you. Life didn’t stop happening just because you went on a spiritual vacation.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

You are needed.