Today’s world is full of pain and bitterness. So many groups feel deep disappointment. So many problems seem to defy solutions. A glance at the daily headlines reveals a tide of distrust, discord, and disharmony sweeping the planet. Can Christians be effective in such an environment? Not unless they recognize the pain and perplexities that abound wherever real people encounter the real struggles of everyday existence.
Jeremiah serves as a model for how to make a sober, realistic appraisal of human need. As he witnessed the devastation left in the aftermath of Jerusalem’s fall, he reflected on the darkness and despair that covered the city (Lamentations 3:1–18).
I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
He has led me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light.
Surely He has turned His hand against me
Time and time again throughout the day.
Yet having looked that harsh reality in the eye, he then turned an eye toward God. He recognized that God was the only hope that remained for his people—hope in God’s mercy, compassion, faithfulness, and goodness (Lamentations 3:22–24).
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”
Like Jeremiah, Christians today have a message of hope to offer the world—the hope that is in Jesus Christ. We do not have all the answers to today’s needs and problems, but we have the Lord. He is the light of the world, and we are called to bring His light into this dark world (Matthew 5:14–16; John 1:4, 5; 1 John 1:5).
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. – Matthew 5;14
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. – John 1:4
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. – 1 John 1:5
God could have used angels or miracles or numerous other means to announce His message. Instead, He has chosen everyday people to carry His message. Working through ordinary people facing the ordinary issues of day-to-day life, God intends to let the world know that there is hope beyond the problems and frustrations of the here and now.
Are you fulfilling this calling in your life?
3 replies on “You Are Called to Bring Light”
I’m very disappointed in myself. I feel like I have not been able to correctly be their for God and Jesus. I feel like that as well for my family. I should leave and not look back. I feel very selfish and arrogant.
Albert I think you should know that to leave and not look back is to give up all hope, it is like committing suicide that is to say it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I pray that you would have for lack of a better word an intervention with the Lord and that you come to Him and let Him help you by turning it all over to Him with complete trust that He will help you make things right. I am in no way saying this is an easy and simple fix, you have work ahead but the Light is there so follow it. In prayer for you !!!!!!!
Albert, you are not there for God; He is there for you. We are all selfish and arrogant. It’s just in our nature.
For God so loved Albert that He gave His one and only Son that if Albert would believe in Him, Albert could have everlasting life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn Albert but that Albert through Him might be saved.
Peace I leave with Albert; my peace I give to Albert. Not as the world gives do I give to Albert. Let not Albert’s heart be troubled, neither let Albert be afraid.