Light a Candle

It seems that everywhere we look, there is violence, hurt, and loss. It seems that every day, we hear stories that make us cry out, "what is going on?!" Suicide bombings. People shooting other people. People shooting cops. Cops shooting people. Human trafficking. Increasing porn consumption. Divorce. Abortion. Homelessness. Mass attacks.

Violence.
     Corruption.
          Sin.

Jesus told his disciples, "And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden.  Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, and the light illumines the entire house. You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it."-Matthew 5:14-16 (The Voice).

Christians, Jesus tells us to be lights in the world. By His Spirit, the only hope for a broken world lives within us--not public policy, not stricter laws, not even moral conformity. Jesus is the only hope. He tells us to go forth and let His light shine.  I am "lighting a candle" to remind me that we bear the light of the Son of man. 

'Cause we bear the light of the Son of man
So there's nothing left to fear
So I'll walk with you in the shadow lands
Till the shadows disappear
'Cause He promised not to leave us
And his promises are true.

-Andrew Peterson