Be the LIGHT

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.,  a man who knew the light and walked in the light. His legacy lives today, ever calling us to Be the Light!

What follows is adapted from a previous post, One Word is LIGHT –

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4-5

This beautiful New Testament scripture affirms the promised light of salvation which had been prophesied in the Old Testament. Isaiah spoke of the Messiah who would come-

I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
Isaiah 49:6

Jesus came into a dark world to be the light. The light is Jesus and his light is life. His empty tomb that we will celebrate in a few short months proves that his resurrection conquered death and ushered in the good news- darkness has not overcome the light!

This remains true today- regardless of your circumstance or trial, the light and life of Christ still shines, and the darkness has not overtaken it!

This is why Jesus calls us in Matthew 5:14-16 to Be the Light–

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Martin Luther King, Jr. answered that call to live in the light. His life was light in the darkness and the world has not been able to extinguish it! I too want to be a person whose life is light to the darkness around me.

The Bible teaches me how to live in the light-

• Acknowledge my fleshly tendency to love the darkness more than light. (John 3:19)
• Believe in the light that I may become a son of the light. (John 12:35-36)
• Follow Jesus to have the light of life. (John 8:12)
• Cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12)
• Let my light shine as a testimony to those who do not yet have the light. (Matthew 5:14)
• Wake up and walk in the light. (Ephesians 5:14-21)

The calling has never been more clear- this world needs the light of Jesus! As I go, I’m to walk in the light and shine the light in a world that seems to be overpowered with darkness.

Looking back at last year and into 2021, I may be tempted to believe the light is dimming and that darkness is gaining ground. Much has been lost to disease, discord, and unrest, but God’s word to his people is clear, so I’m bringing back a PIC-

For me, casting off darkness looks like this:

• Reading God’s Word first
• Turning off the news
• Putting down my phone
• Memorizing scripture
• PREPLANTing my mind with truth (from One Word is PEACE)

Ephesians 5:14-21 also calls me to wake up and allow the light of Christ to shine on me, so I am praying this PIC as well-

The time to live in the light is now- wisely understanding and walking in the will of God. There are some specific behaviors included here that show me how to Be the Light–

• Ask to be filled with the Spirit. (18)
• Speak praise of God to others. (19)
• Give thanks always and for everything. (20)
• Submit to others out of reverence for Christ. (21)

As I wrote these things in my journal, I saw at the bottom of the page a personalized reference to Psalm 34:7. It read-

Delight yourself in the Lord, Jean, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 

Underneath I posed this question to myself-

Is this what delighting in the Lord looks like- seeking to live in the light?

The answer left me with a simple prayer-

Father God, Thank you for waking me up to the light of life! Grow my love and devotion for your light; help me this day to Be the Light of Christ!