Living In The Light

We live in dark, troubling times.

Violence, a type of gross darkness, has even invaded the church. A sanctuary of safety and protection became a blood bath when a killer gunned down 25 people including an unborn child in a Texas church. Our political climate has reached a feverish pitch with nuclear threats and the middle east fighting for control over Jerusalem. Other countries have been struck by terrorism like Paris and London.

No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. (Isaiah 60:18-19 NLT).

This is not just a promise to Israel but I believe it applies to us today.

We are to be a light set on a hill for others to see. When a room is filled with light it swallows any lingering shadows. The light of Christ in our lives, when we walk in His light, will invade not just our own darkness but the inky blackness that surrounds us.

For some it's not easy being light in the office. The looks and hushed remarks make you feel intimated. A walk through a mall or store and you can see a young generation hands glued to their mobile devices. How many are actually holding a bible in hand and reading it? When you mention Jesus, you can instantly see the response as the person drifts away.

As believers we haven't been the best witness of His light. Some of us have shadows and overcast in our lives from secret sins that seem to dull the reflection of Christ. But God is not calling perfect people. Just prepared hearts to be light right where we live no matter our spiritual state. We are after all being changed from glory to glory in His image!

Hold to this promise and I believe we will stumble less and be a true reflection of His grace:

You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. (Psalms 18:28 NIV).