Chemlights have been around since the 1960s. They usually consist of a plastic tube containing a glass ampule of hydrogen peroxide surrounded by another mixture of oxalate ester and a dye. By folding the plastic tube, the glass ampule is broken and the peroxide mixes with oxalate ester. This causes a chemiluminescent reaction. Molecules rapidly decay in the reaction and give off energy as light.
Chemlights have a variety of applications, but they are best appreciated by motorists and the military. Motorists use them in place of highway flares, since they do not present the fire hazard flares do. On the highway, chemlights can steer people away from disabled vehicles or other roadside hazards.
The military uses them because their light is more subdued, making them compatible with the light-discipline exercised in military operations. Most Soldiers probably remember chemlights being used at night to mark landing zones for aircraft, to mark turnoffs for road convoys, or to guide the way through concertina wire to a command post. The direction they provide could save life and limb.
Chemlights do have some drawbacks, however. First, they can only be used once. Another drawback is that chemlights only last a few hours. Yet the light they give in that short and critical time may prevent deadly disasters if used where they are needed most. Though their light remains for a brief moment, they may prevent life-long injuries and even death.
This parallels the temporary things of this life – our time and resources. Like chemlights, our lives, time, and possessions have only a one-time-use. We will all leave our money, titles, and possessions behind when we die. And neither our lives nor our possessions last very long. Yet, if we use them for the right purpose, they can take on eternal significance.
A chemlight or glowstick can be used merely as a toy, robbing it of all significance; or a chemlight can be used to save lives, making its importance profound. Likewise, how we spend our time can be solely on selfish gratification and entertainment, or it can be used to give service to others, better our environment, and make a real and meaningful impact. Choose wisely the use of your time.
Do a Good Turn Daily.
(Borrowed heavily from a devotional of a friend, Chaplain Dave Causey)