A Bright Example

It is recorded that street lighting was first introduced in Antioch in the fourth century. But it was Benjamin Franklin, the famed inventor, who introduced it to America. Other countries had street lighting in their cities as early as the eighth century.

While serving as the postmaster in Philadelphia, Franklin urged the city fathers to install street lights in their city. The city fathers refused because they believed it was too costly.

Franklin refused to give up and hung a beautiful lantern on a bracket in the front of his home. As the people walked by, they realized the difference it made.

There was no stumbling or falling because it was so well lit. Soon, his neighbors followed his example and it was not too long before the entire city saw the value of street lighting. Franklin achieved his goal not by argument but by example.

People want to follow good examples because everyone wants to copy what makes sense and works. Paul advised Timothy, who needed to earn the respect of his elders, to “set an example in speech, life, love, faith and purity.” We must follow Paul’s advice.

Prayer: Lord, whenever our lives fail to live up to Your standards, give us no peace until we change. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.