Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
1/6/2023
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A LIGHT IN DARKNESS
I read an article a few years ago about these camp counselors preparing for summer camp. They were taken up into the mountains and into a cave that they would lead the kids into as part of the summer activities. They described it as being quite scary. they had to crawl on their hands and knees in some places to move forward. The only light they had was their flashlights. Finally, in the heart of the cave, they all sat in a large circle. There was no natural source of light whatsoever. The guide asked them to turn off their flashlights.
He told them to try and see the person next to them and then hold their hand in front of their face. They could see absolutely nothing. The space was void of any light.
You must know the story by now. He lit one, tiny, match, and the whole room became visible. The darkness was shoved back, it was forced out by a one-minute single source of light. And then he told a story. Centuries ago, on the other side of the world. Just outside Capernaum, Jesus sat down with a group of common people and he told them. You are the light of the world, a town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a table, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16
And then he told all of the camp counselors to be that kind of light to all of those campers throughout the summer. It was kind of gripping to think about the power of light in the darkness. Our purpose, our calling, our commission, our life‘s goal… Is … to be a light to one person at a time!
There is just no denying the darkness that is in the world today. The anger, lack of respect, vileness, pornography, hatred, the lack of grace and love, not to mention the lack of forgiveness in the world today.
Yet one small, tiny light can and does make a difference. It pushes back the darkness. WE are the light of the world. Not because of anything that is in us. It is God’s spirit, his Holy Spirit, that is inside of each one of us. It’s another choice that we make every day to let it shine in the world of darkness by loving, forgiving, by being kind, and gracious. By taking the high ground, giving people the benefit of the doubt, but especially by praying for people and telling them about a God who loves them and who is the true light of the world. That’s the choice we make every day. In our marriages, and in all of our relationships, with our children and extended families.
We are either a light or we’re not. Being neutral advances nothing. Standing for nothing moves you forward into more of nothing. IN FACT, we lose ground. When can we finally come to the end of ourselves and lean on an almighty God who is the light to us and a dying darkening world, and let Him be that light in our daily lives? He is the source of love and light. He created it. We either choose to be a conduit of God or walk in our own power. What kind of a choice is that really? What is our source without God?
Lord, please forgive me for all those times that I have chosen to walk alone. Forgive me for so many times I’ve not shown your light in the circumstances of my life. Forgive me Lord for relying on me instead of your Holy Spirit. Father God, help me to be a light every day. That I might shine forth your goodness and mercy and forgiveness and grace and love to all of those that are around me… That people might know that there is a God, and his name is Jesus Christ.
What Mercy Did For Me [feat. Crystal Yates Micah Tyler Joshua Sherman]Listen to the worship song
