God has encouraged me recently that I am not in the situation I am in because He does not care about me. I had been feeling like I was surrounded by darkness; feeling trapped in a situation and desperate for help. Maybe you relate, and also need that reminder that God cares for you, He loves you; He sees you. I need daily encouragement; receiving from God each day, remembering I am not alone. We are not meant to do anything alone. He knows your situation, and is with you in it.
Maybe you are like me in that God has purposefully placed you there, to be the light. To shine God’s light in the dark place you are positioned. It is that there is a bigger purpose. Jesus is the light of the world.
We need to be reminded at times of what Jesus said,” … “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12, ESV). In having a revelation of this beautiful truth, we have hope no matter what situations in this fallen world we face.
At Christmas time, we celebrate and remember Jesus coming into this world to save us. The prophet Isaiah wrote about Jesus coming to earth, many years before Jesus came;
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, ESV).
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2, ESV).
By darkness, there are numerous examples of what this could be; you likely have specific examples you feel are surrounding you in your life, just like I have some. I see a lot of the darkness around me caused by sin, and see vulnerable people impacted by the sin of others. I see complex, broken, chaotic situations. I see people who feel hopeless, and those who have hope in things that will ultimately let them down.
In trying to explain darkness, I am not wanting to minimise it, but I would like to remind us that God is greater than the darkness. He is our omnipotent, loving God. “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, ESV).
When facing situations that seem impossible, we need to remember we serve a Mighty God who does miracles. Nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37). There is no limit to God working everyday miracles. God also wants to, and needs to empower us for us to be able to do what He has planned for us to do. God empowers ordinary people, like you and me, to make an extraordinary impact. All glory to our wonderful God. God is empowering us and working in many different ways. For example, God empowers His children with the strength needed to get involved, help and not give up helping vulnerable people impacted by the sin of others, and those caught up in their own sin, when relying only on human strength would not be enough. God’s children bring God’s light into the lives of others. God also for example empowers His children with His wisdom, to bring light in complex, broken, chaotic situations, as His wisdom is applied to resolve and work through difficulties that can only be truly resolved with God’s wisdom. When God’s children walk in surrender to God’s leading, we shine for God, with it being clear to others that the hope we have, is in Jesus.
God has a unique plan for each of us to make a difference. When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, we become a part of God’s family (Ephesians 1:5). We live in community and help each other. We all are united and help others in different ways. So if you are struggling to face each day, having to get out into the darkness of this world, know that you are not alone. God is with you, and you are part of the family of God. Jesus is your light and salvation (Psalm 27:1). We do not live in a place of fear and condemnation. God refreshes us, and helps each of us in taking our next step. God is working and doing something beautiful. “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12, ESV).
God sees the brokenness and darkness in the world, and cares and wants to restore. God wants to bring light, and not leave it as it is. In that situation where I desperately felt I needed help, God helped me, and He continues to help me; I so appreciate and enjoy His love. The world needs God’s love, and from the love we receive from God, we overflow love to others, shining God’s light. God’s presence is with us, and His love shown even in a simple act of kindness with a smile. Jesus is the light of the world, and so we are the light of the world. We are “…the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14, ESV).
In Ephesians 5: 8-10, we read that “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (ESV). We are cleansed because of what Jesus did on the cross, and we choose to live our lives set apart, or in other words live holy lives; different in that we shine God’s light.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1-2, ESV). Jesus is the light of the world, and we shine His light and give Him glory.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
Thank-You for sending Jesus to earth to be our Saviour. Our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. You give us such mercy and grace.
Thank-You for being the light in this world, and for being so faithful. Thank-You for leading us, helping us, guiding us, and giving us everything we need. Thank-You that “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105, ESV).
May Your unique plan for me prevail, as I experience Your love and share Your love with others, shining for Your glory. This Christmas time, as we remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth, may we draw ever closer to You God, and enjoy Your presence with us.
In Jesus name, Amen.