Sanctified Saturdays: LIGHT!

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

 John 1:5 New Living Translation

Moonrise at sunset in Arizona

LIGHT

Darkness tries to hide so many things. Sneaky plans to derail us. Destructive forces at work. Slimy thoughts and self-indulgent actions. 

But it only takes a tiny bit of light to push darkness aside and bring revelation. Light doesn’t have to work at shoving aside darkness, battling for supremacy. Light is. By being who it is, it causes darkness to slink away, overcome by brightness.  

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by increasing darkness in our world. Wars, destruction, self exaltation of leaders. I can’t fight the darkness. But I can be a light and shine the love of Jesus everywhere I go. 

I can’t change nations, but I can pray for people in those nations to encounter the love of God. I can’t replace evil leaders, but I can pray for justice, mercy and righteousness to be released. 

Sunset in Arizona with saguaro cactus

Just as God spoke light into our dark world, I can partner with Him to speak light in this present darkness. I can declare the goodness of God. I can read His words out loud to shine His truth into the atmosphere.

When someone around me is grumpy and negative, I can smile and show love and kindness. When news from around the world seems dire, I can declare He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, even in troubled areas.

Standing strong in faith, trusting God, and finding joy in challenging situations allows His light to shine through me.

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 5:16, The Message Bible.

He is my light. He has filled my life with His light. I must BE a light.

Take that, darkness!