Just before bedtime last evening, I looked out into the community and all the homes were pitch-black. It was early in the evening for some, but the darkness reminded me of the dark and bleak times in which we are now living. There is so much hatred and evil that it causes us to wonder where we are headed as a nation. There was no movement or signs of life which made it seem a little eerie. Sometimes in darkness, we may lose sight of the direction we are to take. There is a feeling that in so many instances, we have lost sight of our direction as a people and we are operating in darkness.
One of the neighbors to the south of our home had her light shining as she always does, 24/7. There is never a day or night that a light is not shining in her home. It was a brief reminder to me that there is still hope and peace for a dying world. This single mom has refused to live in darkness in her home, even after the death of her son almost thirty years ago. A school bus accident took his life, but this mother refuses to allow darkness to penetrate her spirit. She is truly a woman of God who lets her light shine in her home, but more importantly allows the light to shine within her. She is a prime example of a person who is a disciple of Jesus Christ.
If you were to read Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus compares his followers to light, saying “we are the light of the world,” unable to be hidden. This message to his disciples is a message for each of us today. Jesus tells his disciples that they are to bring light to the world by following Him, God, and the Holy Spirit. The message to each of us during this Advent Season is to bring light into the world, regardless of how turbulent and dark the times are.
The Bible reminds us that light represents holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope, joy and power. Darkness represents evil, sin, death, destruction and despair. In the Old Testament, we find examples of a cloud of light symbolizing the presence of Yahweh.
As believers, we must be a people of hope regardless of how dismal and disdain things may look. Even in darkness, love can triumph and we can be assured to find light, life and hope.
During this holiday season we will display all sorts of lights in our homes, on trees, buildings, etc. Hopefully when we do so we are acknowledging that Jesus is the light of the world. When we observe different colors of lights, think of it as different races, cultures and colors of people all hanging out together. Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing if wars would come to an end and all of God’s children would start loving on each other.
Ephesians 5: 8 reminds us: “For once we were full of darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” As the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, he instructed them to live as children of light instead of living in darkness of sins. Just imagine how much better the world would be if we could influence or encourage those in the world to live as a person of light instead of darkness. We are all called to share our faith with believers and unbelievers.
As the Jewish community begin to light their daily candles during Hanukkah, may we join in lighting a candle starting on December 7th through December 15th.
May we all let our lights shine as we pray for peace all over the world.
May we hold onto the saying in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Just my thoughts!
Robert Earl Slade, Pastor
