Each Christmas season I eagerly anticipate the tradition of displaying the strings of bubble lights onto the Christmas tree. I meticulously attach each bulb in a space appropriately large and dark enough for them to be gloriously illuminated by the yellow, red or green bulb beneath the tube of liquid. Each one seems to shout from the darkened branches, but the real glory is the tube of colored liquid above the bulb that spritely bubbles as it is heated from below. The silent movement of the bubbles gives the whole tree a magical lively aura.
Over time, some light do not spontaneously bubble. This is troubling. I have discovered that, using a plastic spoon, a gentle (very gentle) tap on the top of the glass tube usually provides the sufficient disturbance to incite bubbling again.
On one occasion, with spoon in hand, I hunted for the un-bubbling lights and in my mind, I coaxed them, encouraged them to respond, reminding them that they were beloved and glorious, and, those who did not bubble WERE MEANT FOR GREATER THINGS! At that very thought, I was forcefully impressed with the thought of God gently tapping me in my occasional apathetic state, reminding me that I AM MEANT FOR GREATER THINGS.
Perhaps Jesus Christ thought something like that when he called fishermen to follow Him. He saw their light and knew that it could be more glorious.
As I was watching a Youtube scripture study (Don’t Miss This, Matthew 14), the presenters spoke of the parables of Jesus and challenged us to write a parable of our own, and, hence, I post the Parable of the Bubble Lights, as it was impressed upon me Christmas of 2021. Now, whenever I see a bubble light, I wonder if I don’t need a tap on the head to make me sparkle too! (By the way, don’t take my advise about tapping the top of the tubes because the liquid inside is not environmentally friendly if the tube might break and spread the liquid all over the room. Seriously, that does happen.)
Check out the Youtube mentioned above for some great insights into the New Testament. Also, as I always suggest, check out the website churchofjesuschrist.org for a plethora of videos, thoughts, articles and messages, all posted there to uplift, comfort and challenge us all.
