Then, too, even a familiar place can be frightening in the dark! I love the sanctuary of our church, a place where I have spent most of my professional life, but that cavernous space becomes less comforting at 10 PM when undefined fears feel more real in the darkness and shadows of that vast room. A simple flick of a switch and the introduction of light dispels those fears.
Are you living on the edge of darkness, experiencing
confusion about who you are, why you exist, where you are going? I do not intend to be simplistic, but there
is Light to be found. Jesus says - “I am the light of the world. If you
follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have
the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12, NLT) Let’s not race past that thought.
Jesus tells us we are loved by God – light.
He tells us that we can know life eternal, freed from dread – light.
He promises that the Spirit of God lives in those who receive Him by faith –
light.
He teaches us that our daily needs are supplied by His resourceful Father -light.
He shows us the path to a truly ‘blessed’ life, not a superficially happy one –
light. Need I go on?
Quoted Isaiah, Matthew’s Gospel makes this declaration - "the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”" (Matthew 4:16, NIV) He is our Light. Are you letting His light shine into your life?
Shifting the thought a little today, let’s remember that God
has called us to be lights in the darkness, too. What a high and holy calling. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, invites us
to become light-bearers. "You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is
not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a
hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a
bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop,
on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By
opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous
Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, The Message)
Light just does the work of illuminating by shining. The glorious dawn of the morning with that powerful source of earth’s energy does not come with trumpets. The sun just comes up over the horizon and quietly the light arrives. Christian, when we live ‘in the light’ we become reflectors of that light. Our best work is done, not in noisy demonstrations or violent confrontation, but quietly as we love and serve God and others. Yes, we come a light to dark places, pointing others to God’s love and grace in Christ Jesus. Is your life reflecting the true Light?
Here is a word from the Word for this new week. The preacher, Isaiah, speaks to our religion. A fast is a way of expressing devotion. He was inspired to remind us that religion without relationship, an attempt to please God apart from caring for others, is not what our Father desires. Rather, we are to care, to love, to give.
Note the blessings that come to
those who do these things. “No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free
those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you.
Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food
with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to
those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. “If you
do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your
healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory
of the Lord (LIGHT) will protect you from behind." (Isaiah 58:6-8, NLT)
Lord, be our Light and help us to reflect your Radiance to our dark world. Amen.
(Video of this blog at this link)
______________
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let shine …
Let it shine.
Everywhere I go,
I’m gonna let shine …
Let it shine.
Even when I’m afraid,
I’m gonna let shine …
Let it shine.
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