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“Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness opened my eyes, let me see.” (Here I am to Worship)
It’s easy to believe that darkness has won, that goodness has been stifled, and that things won’t change. Darkness would have you believe that people are bad, and the stormy winds have snuffed out hope.
Nothing new under the sun
Ecclesiastes reminds us, “There is nothing new under the sun.” These struggles are not unique to our time. Since the beginning, bad things have happened: wars, killings, and tragedy upon tragedy. One only needs to take a look at any history book to know this is true. “Man’s inhumanity to man” is real. (Man Was Made to Mourn: A Dirge by Robert Burns).
This truth can feel overwhelming, and yet, I don’t say this to minimize the heartbreaking events we have witnessed in the past week. As a mother and an empath, each of these tragic events is a gut punch. However dark the world seems, I keep asking the Light of the World to open my eyes to see the goodness all around, the blessings and gifts of each day, because they do, in fact, far outweigh the shadows that try to surround us. The challenge is that what we choose to see and hear is what we will believe.
Following the way of Jesus
Jesus came to be the Light of the World because He knew it would be dark without Him. He showed us what to do—love, be patient, forgive, bless, bring God’s healing, and pray, and not just for the people we like or the ones that think like us. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Becoming lights to the world
To the extent that we do what Jesus did, we become lights in this world. The only way to increase the light we see is to allow God’s light to shine through us, unfiltered. Scripture reminds us of God’s promise: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Be kind
Be patient
Help a stranger
Speak encouragement
Offer a prayer
Share your joy
Breathe life
Bring hope
Smile
Be a light
For, as Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:15-16)
Where is God calling you to see and hear differently and to be a brighter light?
5 Responses
So well said, Leslie. Also, I add a favorite prayer from St. John Henry Newman, as an antidote to
anger and hatred.
“Dear Jesus, help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly, that my life may only be a radiance of Yours. Shine
through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no longer me, but only Jesus! Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine
as You shine, so as to shine as to be a light to others: the light, O Jesus will be all from You, none of it
will be mine: it will be You, shining on others through me.” Amen.
I love this prayer, Sandra! Thank you for calling it to mind. It’s also a beautiful song called the Fragrance Prayer. Blessings to you!
Love this…thanks!
Thank you for these special words!! Reminded of a song which adults and Children still love,”This Little Light of Mine, I’m gonna let it shine…..
How I love that song, Sylvia! Thank you!