small Light, dark world--so let it shine

During this Christmas season, my thoughts should be preoccupied with a Baby in a manger, wise men following a star, and a virgin birth in a little barn out in a far-off place called Bethlehem. Although these things are components to what I've been wrestling with, mostly I've been mulling over the concept of Light.

Perhaps John was thinking similarly when he penned these words:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:1-5

That Light came in the form of a tiny little Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger, and it hasn't stopped shining since.  

The thing about light is that it's quite persistent.  It only takes a teeny tiny little spark to start a fire.  One small candle can illuminate even the darkest of corners.  

And the Light didn't end when that little Baby grew into a Man and suffered a cruel death on the cross. Instead, it persisted through even the darkest place of all--DEATH, and came back shining even brighter.  Now, this same brilliant Light lives inside all of His followers, as we seek to carry it to the corners of the earth, so that all may be illuminated. 

The Light is persistent and unstoppable, but the darkness is also cunning and tenacious.  It seeks to send strong winds, snuffing out flames wherever possible.  The lurking shadows and creeping fogs attempt to fill crevices and corners, spreading the darkness to reach even the most brightly lit places.  

The darkness will not win, in the end, however.  Light is always more powerful.  The darkness will meet it's final destruction one day, when all things will shine under the illumination of the True Light. Yet, things are not over yet.  Our work is not done.  There's a role for each of us to play as "light bearers."  How do we carry this Light into a dark world? 

Recently, I have heard too many stories of fellow Christians becoming prey to the sin and shame that only comes with the dark.  Secret struggles, shame and fear, and much more can be found lurking in the shadowy corners and recesses of our lives.  It's time to shed Light on these.  It's time for us to step out in faith, allow these areas of our lives to be exposed and cleansed, and to hold out our Light for others to see.  

This can only come through true recognition of those dark corners and an attitude of repentance.   Too easily we refuse to call sin for what it is.  It taints us, keeping us away from God, while also leaving its mark of destruction on both ourselves and those around us.  (See, sin never just affects us.)  It's time for us to rid ourselves of the shadows, and to walk in the Light.  

Light came to the world over 2,000 years ago.  That Light "shone in the darkness," and defeated sin and death on the cross.  Now, that Light shines in us.  A challenge is set before us this season.  How will this truth impact your life?  

“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 its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5: 14-16

There's only one way to wash yourself clean
So let the dirt fall and get on your knees
There are a million scars for every mistake
Oh but we are not chained to the secrets that we've made
Oh but we are not chained to the secrets that we've made

So come let it
Come let it
Come let it
Come let it shine

"Come Let it Shine"--All Sons and Daugthers

Merry Christmas everyone!  May we celebrate the Light.  

independently connected

i've been thinking about friendship, community, and relationships lately.  (part of this may be due to the fact that I am reading "Four Loves" by C.S. Lewis. darn you, Lewis--you make me think!)
...

it's interesting how inextricably woven together we are as human beings.  yet, on the same hand, we find ourselves fiercely independent of each other.

we need each other.  we need laughter and hugs and a listening ear.  we need long talks and a hand to hold.  we need confession,  exhortation, and correction.

yet, we need autonomy.  we need space.  we need to "own" our own decisions and feel like we are staying true to our sense of self.  we need solitude and peace and quiet.

we are connected, yet separated.  our minds, actions, and wills are our own.  we learn and grow from one another.  we become better versions of ourselves.

but ourselves we will always be.

our decisions are just that...they are "ours."  we can pray for one another. we can offer insight, guidance, and sometimes a good ol' smack in the face.  yet, our realm of control only extends so far.  each person must lie in the bed they have made.

connected, yet separate.  and that's ok.  it's actually a beautiful thing.  longing for relationship, yet still finding ourselves alone with our own thoughts at the end of the day.  loving, laughing, and listening, yet still solitary.

the truth is, we'll never feel complete.  we'll never feel fully "known" or connected to others.  and that's ok too.  just like anything else, relationships and community can get off-kilter.  instead, this tension, this vacuum, is meant to instill hope, an anticipation for the future.  the hope that one day things will be different.  when every tear is wiped away, and when we can finally see "face to face."

"now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12

and for that day we wait.  til then, we walk this path alone...yet, together.