If we aren’t careful, we will peer into the darkness and lose our hope. The mind-numbing pain of the death of a child or a parent. The squeeze of finances, even debting for Christmas gifts. Dreams not yet realized. Faith not yet rewarded. Healing not yet completed. World issues that rattle our core so that we break down borders or build up borders. The prophet Isaiah said it well, “Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead.” (59:10)
But God. With us. In the very breath-crushing moment of your day, in the ache, the groan, remind yourself, “A great light has come into the world and the darkness cannot put it out.” This moment, your moment, is why Jesus came. Your hopeless, helpless, overwhelming moment is why God sent His Son. His compassion made manifest through a baby.
“The people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17
Heaven has come near to you, so repent. Change your mind, change your thinking. God is shining on you through Jesus. All of Heaven has been made available to you, for this very moment. And the millions of moments between now and when you see your once Baby now Risen King.
Jesus matters in this world today. In your world, today. So through your tears, speak the name of Jesus. Through your fears, speak the name of Jesus. In every moment declare the Light of Christ over the dark places of your life and watch the “heavenly peace” fall on your heart, soul, and spirit. Watch your thinking change as you inhale grace and exhale praise.
God’s great light has come…to you. Wonder and worship at this miracle.
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4
Photo by my friend Lynn Lunsford.