By: Alexis Patterson
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9.
Last hurricane season my family and I experienced some minor effects from Hurricane Ian. As a result, we lost power for about eleven hours and about five of those hours we were in the dark. Thankfully, we had candles to burn as we needed to get around the house safely. It was then that I realized as familiar as I am with my home, in the dark I couldn’t always see things as they really were. But when I lit even one candle, I could walk around my home just as confident as I would with the more vibrant lights I am used to.
In the way that that one candle lit up a room, as Christ followers, we are the light.
Jesus in His sermon says: “In the same way, let your light shine before others. So that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16. We know some things about light from God through creation. From the beginning, after creating the heavens and earth, God created light. “God saw that the light was good and God separated the light from darkness” Genesis 1:4. The light created here wasn’t just an aesthetic light, it wasn’t even the sun, it was an element of distinction from the unknown to the known. The light created was an uncovering of what was previously hidden.
That light God spoke into existence is the same light you are through following Jesus. Keeping Genesis 1:4 in mind, as a light you are distinguished, pure, and blessed. You are distinguished because God chose you for good works, you are pure because God separated you from the world that you would glorify Him, and you are blessed because God created you in His image of goodness. In a world where darkness is celebrated we are the light the world needs, a mirror of truth. Ephesians 5:9 “for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth”.
Light exposes darkness for the wickedness it tries to conceal. As possessors of God’s light, we are on mission to share it. We share God’s truth in love, lighting up every room because we can not be hidden. Our lives are lived with integrity and peace. We change the world with our being and not just our words. Being a light is more than a responsibility, it is who we are. When God said “let there be light”, it was an invitation to holiness with the Holy One. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9.
Prayer:
God, help our light shine in this world. I pray that we honor you in the way we live and love others. Let your glory be known through your chosen people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.