The headlines around these days are alarming. The narrative seems to be full of fear mongering such as predictions of economic disruption, government disruption, political disruption, social disruption. Disruption on all levels, according to the news media. There is no rest from disruption. It is so, because the media and the disrupters make it so. So there they are making their noise, accusing others of what they are doing, judging people from the content of their own hearts, spewing forth hate, derision, suspicion and darkness. What is it to us? Why do we have to allow them to occupy the battlefield of our minds? Does their darkness overcome the light of Christ and the Holy Spirit in each of us? I stand to say “NO.”
In John 8:12, Christ said, “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” In Matthew 5:14-16, Christ affirms this transfer of light, saying, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
Proverbs 4:14-18 says, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.” Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” There is a pattern here that there is a path we all travel, but we do not have to travel in darkness because Christ is the light for the just. He transfers it to his disciples that they might also be the light of the world.
As you engage with friends and family during this upcoming holiday season, you do not have to take part in the darkness around us. You can be that light to others, that joy in the midst of sorrow. Everyone seems to be at everyone else. Peace is but a fleeting moment like an insincere greeting. Remember, though, that as the light of the world, you are also an ambassador of Christ, an emissary of the kingdom of God. We don’t have to enter into the darkness because it already has been defeated by the King of Kings. Renew your mind. Have a perspective of light. As is written in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” So, in truth, let your light shine.
