Seeing and Being Light

While the other Gospel writers felt it important to share the circumstances of Jesus’ birth, John wrote about the reason for His birth.

“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 1:4-5

John lived and wrote in a very dark period of history, when there was great persecution of the church by the Roman government. Unspeakable things were being done to those who claimed to be followers of the man, Jesus, who was crucified and yet still seen alive. The light that the life and death and resurrection of Jesus brought to the world, was a light that could not be extinguished by the rulers or the hatred or the torture of Christ followers. The Light was from God and in fact was God, in the flesh. And that LIGHT is as eternal as God.

As I reflect on that Light that brings life and hope, I consider the life of one who was a conduit for that Light. It seems that my blogs all point to my Dad in recent weeks. He is always so much in my heart and mind. It seems only natural to write about his impact on so many. At Dad’s Memorial Service different people spoke about how he touched their lives. The recurring theme was that he loved and valued everyone, without classifying or judging or comparing them. Everyone who spent time with him knew that they were significant and had worth, even in the dark times when we may have felt very unworthy.

My Dad knew the secret that many miss about the “Light of all mankind.” His light brings warmth and love and direction. Even though it may reveal the places in us that need to heal and change and grow, the Light shines to reveal God’s amazing grace, not His judgment. It reveals our limitations in contrast to His power.  

As 2018 draws to a close and we are looking at the new year, perhaps we would all benefit from revisiting the truth that there is a Light that illumines our pathway and will lead us to life, fulfilling and worthwhile. Running from the Light because we fear what it will reveal is futile. Running toward the Light brings us hope and healing and the strength we need to face whatever lies ahead.

See the Light…

Reflect the Light…

You may be the one that will bring lasting change to the life of a weary soul because you allowed the Light to shine through you.