Light in the Darkness

             “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it” (John 1:5 NIV84).

This past week has been a difficult one for people across the nation.  Food pantries are dealing with bare shelves, as thousands of people seek necessities to provide food for their families.  Thousands more are going to work every day, not knowing when or if they will be paid.  Unfortunately, their bills keep coming.  There was a terrorist plot that was thwarted by the FBI that could have resulted in mass casualties, and finally, a plane crashed right here in my hometown, killing several on the plane and on the ground. 

          We can point fingers at a lot of people and actions that caused each of those tragedies, but the bottom line is that Satan loves to force darkness on us wherever he can.  He knows that he’s already lost the war, but that doesn’t stop him from continuing the battle.  He desires to bring as much darkness as possible into our lives.  The good news is that the Light has come into the world, but unfortunately, most of the world does not recognize Him (John 1:5).

Last night I watched an awards show that recognized regular American heroes.  The recipients weren’t celebrities.  They were ordinary people who did extraordinary things in the face of dangerous situations.  There was the senior citizen who, over 50 years ago, suffered multiple wounds while trying to save his men in battle.  There was the family of the fireman who lost his life doing what our first responders do every day.  There was the West Point Cadet, who, along with his father, risked downed power lines to pull a man from a burning car that exploded moments after they pulled him to safety.  There was a young man who is fighting brain cancer but strives daily to show appreciation to our law enforcement officers. There were also two young ladies, college athletes, who risked their college scholarships to stand up for the Truth of God’s gender message. 

All these people, of various ages, genders, and races, had one thing in common.  They each gave glory to God for giving them the courage to take that extraordinary step of heroism.  They are a small reminder that there is still Light in the midst of the darkness.  I pray that they will give us the courage to let our lights shine before men, that our Father may be glorified.

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV84).

John 1:1 – 14

Matthew 5:16