Pierfranco Midali, the Mayor of Viganella, knew he had a problem. With fewer than 200 residents, this 800 year old town in the Italian Alps was dying and everyone knew why. It was a dark town. Literally.
From November to February, the mountains that protect the village from the elements also prevent it from receiving any direct sunlight. The townsfolk live in a continual shadow alternating with the total darkness of night for four months every year.
The Mayor, along with his friend Giacomo Bonzani, knew the power of the sun. It warms. It allows things to grow and most of all, it makes people happy and together they came up with an idea…
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. 1 John 1:5
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6
I wasn’t there and I don’t speak Italian, but I can imagine the conversation went something like this:
Midali: Hey, my friend. We need to get some light into our town.
Bonzani: We have streetlights.
Midali: It’s not the same. They don’t create warmth and light. If we could only allow the sun to shine…
They look at each other and then in unison exclaim, “a mirror! A giant mirror!”
Now, this is where the townspeople thought they were a bit addled due to the lack of sun. They laughed at Midali’s idea.
Have you ever felt this way—you know the solution to the situation is the Son and his peace, but no one around you knows this.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5
Midali got creative. He created a contraption to carry around a large mirror so people could see—pun intended—and believe.
On December 17, 2006, Midali’s vision was realized as high on the peak on Mount Scagiola, a 16×26 sheet of steel reflected the sun and lit up town square. People cheered. There was light in the darkness.
As believers, we are called to spread the Gospel—to share His Light and direct it into the darkness, but sometimes we feel a bit like Midali when people mocked him. Once again, I was not there, but I’m imaging he had the following plan of action:
Operation Seeing is Believing
Step 1: Start with a very clean, reflective surface.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12
A pure, clean heart takes daily maintenance including forgiving others and releasing offenses. More here.
Step 2: Know the sun and its location
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105
A computer program repositions the mirror all throughout the day so it can follow the sun. It changes by the day, hour and minute. It KNOWS the sun.
Step 3: Grab a friend
Where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there among them. Matthew 18:20
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:24-25
Never underestimate the power of a cheer squad.
Step 4: Be bold and get out there
When you follow steps 1-3, you have confidence. You understand the Power that dwells in you and the love, joy and Presence that you reflect. You have His creativity and most of all, you’ve got this!
This is where it is really fun. Madali solved not only his town’s problem, but in 2013, Rjukan, Norway installed their own mirrors to light up their town.
When we are willing to spread some light, just get ready. Big things can happen.
So, who is ready to spread some light?
Need to know MORE? Here are some images and more deets on the town of Viganella.
